 In the late 1960s , nationalist grievances were aired publicly in mass civil rights protests , which were often confronted by loyalist counter @-@ protests . The government 's reaction to confrontations was seen to be one @-@ sided and heavy @-@ handed in favour of unionists . Law and order broke down as unrest and inter @-@ communal violence increased . The Northern Ireland government requested the British Army to aid the police , who were exhausted after several nights of serious rioting . In 1969 , the paramilitary Provisional IRA , which favoured the creation of a united Ireland , emerged from a split in the Irish Republican Army and began a campaign against what it called the " British occupation of the six counties " . 
 In the late 1960s , nationalist grievances <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> aired publicly in mass civil rights protests , which <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> often confronted by loyalist counter @-@ protests . The government <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>reaction to confrontations was seen to be one @-@ sided and heavy @-@ handed in favour of unionists . Law and order broke down as unrest and inter @-@ communal violence increased . The Northern Ireland government requested the British Army to aid the police , <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>who</mark></a><a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>were</mark></a> exhausted after several nights of serious rioting . In 1969 , the paramilitary Provisional IRA , which favoured the creation of a united Ireland , emerged from a split in the Irish Republican Army and began a campaign against what it called the " British occupation of the six counties " . 
In da late 1960s , nationalist grievances was aired publicly in mass civil rights protests , which was often confronted by loyalist counter @-@ protests . Tdagovernment  reaction to confrontations was seen to b one @-@ sided and heavy @-@ handed in favour of unionists . Law and order broke down as unrest and inter @-@ communal violence increased . Thdaorthern Ireland government requested thedaitish Army to aid the police , was exhausted after several nites of serious rioting . In 1969 , the daamilitary Provisional IRA , which favoured the cdation of a united Ireland , emerged from a split in the Irish Republican Army and began a campaign against wht it called the " British occupation of the sidaounties " .