 The events of August 1969 in Derry , and more particularly in Belfast where the IRA was unable to prevent loss of life or protect families burned out of their homes , brought to a head the divisions that had already appeared within the movement between the radicals and the traditionalists , and led to a split in December 1969 into the Official IRA and the Provisional IRA . Initially , both armies organised for defensive purposes only , although the Provisionals were planning towards an offensive campaign . In Derry there was far less hostility between the two organisations than elsewhere and householders commonly paid subscriptions to both . When rioters were arrested after the Official 's Easter parade in March 1970 , Officials and Provisionals picketed their trial together . At the start the Officials attracted most of the younger members . Martin McGuinness , who in August 1969 had helped defend the barricades , initially joined the Officials , but a few months later left to join the Provisionals . 
 The events of August 1969 in Derry , and more particularly in Belfast where the IRA was unable to prevent loss of life or protect families burned out of their homes , brought to a head the divisions <a href='null_relcl' title='1'><mark>that</mark></a><a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>had</mark></a> already appeared within the movement between the radicals and the traditionalists , and led to a split in December 1969 into the Official IRA and the Provisional IRA . Initially , both armies organised for defensive purposes only , although the Provisionals <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> planning towards an offensive campaign . In Derry <a href='dey_it' title='4'><mark>there</mark></a> was far less hostility between the two organisations than elsewhere and householders commonly paid subscriptions to both . When rioters <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>were</mark></a> arrested after the Official <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'s</mark></a>Easter parade in March 1970 , Officials and Provisionals picketed their trial together . At the start the Officials attracted most of the younger members . Martin McGuinness , <a href='null_relcl' title='7'><mark>who</mark></a>in August 1969 <a href='been_done' title='8'><mark>had</mark></a> helped defend the barricades , initially joined the Officials , but a few months later left to join the Provisionals . 
The events of August 1969 in Derry , and more particularly in Belfast where da IRA was unable to prevent loss of life or protect families burned outt of their homes , brought to a head the divisions done already appeared within tdamovement between thdaadicals and the traditionalists , and led to a split in December 1969 into the Official IRA and the Provisional IRA . Initially , both armies organised fir defensive purposes only , although the Provisionals was plannin towards an offensive campaign . In Derry it was far less hostility between the 2 organisations den elsewhere and householders commonly paid subscriptions to both . When rioters was arrested after thedaficial  Easter parade in March 1970 , Officials and Provisionals picketed their trial together . At the dart the Officials attracted most of the ydager members . Martin McGuinness , in August 1969 done helped defend the barricades , initially joined the Ofdaials , but a few months later left to join the Provisionals .