The aftermath of a bomb attacks in Northern Ireland, 1990 (c)

Photograph, Northern Ireland (1969-2007), 1990 (c).

Soldiers of the Ulster Defence Regiment attend the scene of a bombing. By the early 1990s, the Provisional Irish Republican Army's (PIRA) campaign of violence showed no sign of ending. Sectarian attacks also continued in Northern Ireland.

But talks between John Hume, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, and Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein, along with secret contacts with the British Government, began to form basis for a peace initiative.

On 31 August 1994, the PIRA announced a ceasefire. A similar announcement by Loyalist paramilitaries followed in October. Talks over decommissioning weapons continued, but the long negotiations resulted in the 'Good Friday Agreement' in April 1998.

The agreement was announced by most of the main political parties, and was backed by referenda north and south of the border. It marked a return to devolved government in Northern Ireland, with the establishment of a power-sharing administration.

From a collection of 24 photographs associated with 24724152 L/Cpl Patrick Herman James Walter Vinke-Tuke, Ulster Defence Regiment, later 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, 1986 to 2007.