Why did Tommy Shelby work with the IRA in Peaky Blinders? Details revisited

In Peaky Blinders Season six, the collaboration of Tommy Shelby with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) was not the result of fidelity or similar ideologies. Instead, it emerged from a forced arrangement after Captain Swing and the IRA took drastic action. They killed Tommy's aunt, Polly, and his associate Aberama Gold to puncture his emotional support.

The IRA made it clear that they wanted to control the gang for their own purposes. Tommy had no choice but to accept this uneasy alliance. The IRA needed him to move their criminal plans forward, especially regarding weapons and money for Irish independence. This partnership would shape the final season of the hit drama series.

More details and reasons are revealed below.

Port control made Tommy dependent

The Peaky Blinders gang had dominated a substantial part of England. However, Tommy had to go beyond Britain with the IRA. Season six depicted a five-million-pound opium deal by Tommy. This drug shipment had to travel from England to America. However, only the IRA controlled the Irish port needed for this shipment. Tommy could not complete this deal without their help.

The IRA exploited this weakness. They offered port access in exchange for Tommy's cooperation with their larger plans. Tommy had no options left. He was forced to work with the IRA to get what he wanted. This single advantage gave the IRA enormous power over Tommy's actions. Without access to that port, Tommy's final criminal scheme would fail.

Building the Fascist connection for Ireland

The IRA's real goal was not about opium or money alone. Their ambition was to develop a fascist Ireland that would be allied to some strong foreign powers. In Peaky Blinders, the IRA was backing the fascist causes of Sir Oswald Mosley. His attempt to get Mosley assassinated by the IRA was halted, and this event unnerved Tommy.

Captain Swing explained that the IRA needed Mosley alive for their plans. Through Tommy, the IRA wanted to connect with Jack Nelson, a powerful American businessman with fascist views. This alliance would strengthen the IRA's position globally. Tommy acted as the bridge between these dangerous groups.

The IRA believed that a fascist Ireland could help their independence cause better than other options. Tommy had to facilitate meetings and communications between these figures. He became a tool in a larger political scheme. Without understanding how deep this conspiracy went, Tommy found himself trapped in the IRA's master plan.

Losing Aunt Polly changed everything

Polly Gray was Tommy's anchor, the person who kept him stable and grounded. The IRA killed her to remove Tommy's only source of emotional support. In Peaky Blinders, Polly had never been fond of Tommy with his drug deals. She first disagreed with the opium deal. Tommy's greatest voice of reason vanished with her.

The IRA targeted Polly deliberately to make Tommy more dependent on them. They called her Tommy's "crutch" and broke it intentionally. Losing Aunt Polly devastated Tommy emotionally and strategically. He became more isolated and vulnerable.

The IRA believed Tommy would now listen to them without Polly's objections. This murder was not random. It was a calculated move to control Tommy through grief and loss. The death of his beloved aunt made Tommy weaker in ways that benefited the IRA completely.

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