The mid-1970s was one of the deadliest periods of the Troubles . From February 1975 until February 1976 , the Provisional Irish Republican Army ( IRA ) and British Government observed a truce . This , however , marked a rise in sectarian tit-for-tat killings . Ulster loyalist paramilitaries , fearing they were about to be forsaken by the British Government and forced into a united Ireland , increased their attacks on Irish Catholics and nationalists . Under orders not to engage British forces , some IRA units concentrated on tackling the loyalists . The fall-off of regular operations had caused serious problems of internal discipline and some IRA members engaged in revenge attacks also . The tit-for-tat killings continued after the truce ended . On 5 June 1976 , the UVF shot dead three Catholics and two Protestants in an attack on the Chrlorane Bar . This was claimed as revenge for the killing of two Protestants in a pub earlier that day
attack on the Chrlorane Bar
Chlorane Bar attack
Ramble Inn attack