South Armagh Sniper (1990–1997)

The South Armagh Sniper was the collective name given to multiple Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) sniper teams operating in South Armagh, Northern Ireland, from 1990 to 1997. This period of intense sniper activity targeted British Army soldiers and Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers.

These sniper teams employed a variety of high-powered rifles, most notably the Barrett M82A1 .50 caliber anti-materiel rifle, smuggled into the country. The range and power of these weapons enabled the snipers to engage targets from considerable distances, often making them difficult to locate and neutralize.

The South Armagh Sniper campaign had a significant psychological impact on British forces. The fear of being targeted from unseen locations led to changes in operational procedures, including increased use of armored vehicles and helicopters for troop movements. Morale among soldiers was also negatively affected.

While several individuals were suspected of involvement in the sniper campaign, few were ever definitively identified or convicted in connection with the attacks directly attributed to the South Armagh Sniper teams. The end of the campaign coincided with the IRA ceasefire of 1997 and the subsequent peace process. The activities of the South Armagh Snipers remain a controversial and sensitive topic within the context of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.