The British government held secret talks with the IRA leadership in 1972 to try and secure a ceasefire based on a compromise settlement , after the events of Bloody Sunday led to an increase in IRA recruitment and support . The IRA agreed to a temporary ceasefire from 26 June to 9 July . In July 1972 , Seán Mac Stíofáin , Dáithí Ó Conaill , Ivor Bell , Seamus Twomey , Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness met a British delegation led by William Whitelaw . The republicans refused to consider a peace settlement that did not include a commitment to British withdrawal , a retreat of the British Army to its barracks , and a release of republican prisoners . The British refused and the talks broke up
Bloody Sunday
Bloody Sunday (1972)
Provisional Irish Republican Army