Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a member of the Provisional IRA .

1995		T.P. Coogan Troubles n.p.: The Provisionals, also known as ‘Provos’, ‘Provvies’ and, sometimes, ‘Pinheads’ .
1998		J. O’Connor Salesman 267: The Provies, Homer. The local RA out in Bray.
1999		Guardian Editor 16 July 16: IRA man McGartland worked undercover for MI5 until the Provies found out.
2009		L. McIlvanney All the Colours 74: ‘A Provie gun-runner, sipping sherry in Downing Street’.