The partition of Ireland (Irish: críochdheighilt na hÉireann) was the division of the island of Ireland into two distinct territories, now Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom) and the Republic of Ireland (an independent state). Partition occurred when the British Parliament passed the Government of Ireland Act 1920. From 1801 to 1920 the whole island had formed an integral part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and was governed as one unit. The Act of 1920 was intended to create two separate self-governing territories within the UK, but partition was reinforced in 1922 when the greater part of Ireland was separated from the United Kingdom.

Since partition began, a key aspiration of Irish nationalists has been to bring about a united Ireland, with the whole island forming one independent state. This goal conflicts with that of unionists in Northern Ireland, whose objective is to remain part of the United Kingdom. The British and Irish governments have agreed, under the 1998 Belfast Agreement, that the status of Northern Ireland will not change without the consent of the majority there.

Coordinates: 53°20′N 08°00′W / 53.333°N 8°W / 53.333; -8

Ireland (pronounced [ˈaɪrlənd] ( listen); Irish: Éire [ˈeːɾʲə] ( listen); Ulster Scots: Airlann or Airlan) is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth. To its east is the larger island of Great Britain, from which it is separated by the Irish Sea.

Politically, Ireland is divided between the Republic of Ireland, which covers just under five-sixths of the island, and Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, which covers the remainder and is located in the northeast of the island. The population of Ireland is approximately 6.4 million. Just under 4.6 million live in the Republic of Ireland and just under 1.8 million live in Northern Ireland.

Relatively low-lying mountains surrounding a central plain epitomise Ireland's geography with several navigable rivers extending inland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild but changeable oceanic climate, which avoids extremes in temperature. Thick woodlands covered the island until the 17th century. Today, it is one of the most deforested areas in Europe. There are twenty-six extant mammal species native to Ireland.

Des Dalton is the president of Republican Sinn Féin (RSF). Previously a member of Ógra Fianna Fáil, he joined RSF aged 18 and has been a member of the RSF Ard Comhairle for over a decade. Dalton ran in the Athy town council Elections in 2004 and 2009 in his home town of Athy, Co Kildare. In both occasions he did not win a seat. He is a brother of Fianna Fáil Kildare County Councillor Mark Dalton.

In 1998 Des Dalton spoke in Maynooth NUI in a debate about constitutional nationalism. Dr Garret FitzGerald, former Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, spoke against Dalton. Dalton remarked that constitutional nationalism was repeatedly, "slapped in the face", by Great Britain.

In July 2011, Des Dalton was arrested in Lurgan, Co. Armagh in relation to an illegal parade, protesting against the Imprisonment of Martin Corey. He was subsequently charged.