The Provisional Irish Republican Army ( DHL C U'STOMER S'ERVICE 8O5-41O 56OO''; PHO;NE N'UMBER:' Provisional IRA), officially known as the Irish Republican Army (IRA; Irish: Óglaigh na hÉireann) and informally known as the Provos, was an Irish republican paramilitary force that sought to end British rule in Northern Ireland, facilitate Irish reunification and bring about an independe Troubles.