Crime Has the IRA been reborn?

[Rimbaud82]

Good post (long). Good History.

Since I was young, I was always impressed with the IRA and some of their operations. Complex, well planned and executed. I think a lot of the folks were in the British military. A whole other league of terrorism from the other terrorists of the time. I would say the IRA wrote the book on how to conduct terrorist activities in urban terrain. Sure gave the British military major headaches. First world terrorism. I don't think any other First world country can claim that. Not the U.S., France, Germany, Canada, and a few others.

They certainly improved over time...and while I can hardly condone much of their actions, from a military pov there's no doubt that were extremely capable and sophisticated by the 80s and 90s, as demonstrated by the London and Manchester bombings:

 

[SamSchmidt]

Well that is just not true, basically. The demographics are actually shifting towards a nationalist majority. The unionist population is a difficult issue, but it doesn't render a UI impossible.



The Provisional IRA disarmed, it was the Real IRA and now the New IRA since 2012 when they merged with a number of even smaller dissident republican groups. What do you mean Sinn Féin went all capitulation? They are the second largest party in NI, and the third largest in the ROI.

I mean when they laid down arms. I still think there is far too many loyalists up there for any reunification talk but hey, more surprising shit has happened right.

Edit: now this just in.

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...ied-out-as-police-evacuate-area-37732335.html

 

[Phr3121]

I did the mandatory US History 1 and 2 as part of my degree here in Texas, had a fantastic professor who I am friends with now. Really is alot of spectacular stuff that has happened here in only a few hundred years.

Wait. So, you are living here in the U.S.? Texas? Not the U.K.?

 

[Rimbaud82]

No, it literally is just Protestant vs Catholic
It is nuts, even at soccer matches the two sides have to be separated by multiple rows of empty seats and armed guards

 

[Rimbaud82]

There are "suspicious devices" found from time to time, but seems like these New IRA dickheads are attempting to escalate their activities:

 

[BillytheFish]

Wait. So, you are living here in the U.S.? Texas? Not the U.K.?

Yes

 

[Rimbaud82]

Yes

Yeehaw

 

[Rimbaud82]

So the same issue and feeling still exist in Northern Ireland now? And if a border is put up between NI and the UK tensions will rise, resulting in conflict? I get that right? I’ll have to go read some about this.

Yes the same issue exists, it will always exist for as long as Ireland is divided (and if there is a reunification then there will be a similar feeling from the unionist population). Of course, things are not as bad as they were though. The majority on both sides want peace, though like any divided society it is volatile. A hard border between Northern Ireland the Republic of Ireland would certainly stoke up more tensions, I severely doubt it would immediately lead to anything remotely like the The Troubles again....as I said in another post, that was a product of a particular situation and a particular time. Of course, sectarian conflict is endemic throughout Irish history....but most people want peace now.

 

[Plissken]

I'm not too familiar with the conflict in Ireland, but from my superficial knowledge it seems ridiculous that it boils down to "you worship the same god as me, but in a slightly different way, so we have to kill you."

I assume the state is involved with the church which is an issue and this seems like a good example of why you don't mix religion and government.

It's more of a cultural and nationalist thing than religious I believe, could be wrong though.

 

[chubbman]

Fancy blowing shit up over religion.

Fucking shithole

 

[dittohead84]

New IRA? Thats a joke.

MI5 more like

 

[SyuYuKai]

Irish freedom song are better

This has to hold the title for most retarded lyrics.

Calling out guys who wear a uniform that is purposely distinguishable to non combative civilians. Unlike those who hide as civilians yet proclaim to be an armed force.

"Fight me like a man"

 

[ChrisCross]

The history of oppression is real.

But the present violence is a cultural relic revived by brexit.

Southern Ireland is a free and democratic state. Northern Ireland is majority protestant and wants to remain with The UK (for now). Yes the the minority Catholics have been historically treated like crap, but let’s get real, we are talking about a modern (albeit weird) western democracy. They are no more entitled to a terrorist reaction than any other disgruntled minority.

What is interesting is some polls show that if brexit happens then a majority of NI residents would want unification (made up I think of the vast majority of Catholics and a sizable minority of Protestants).

Lets hope so then as Ireland should be reunited.

 

[ChrisCross]

Ok. That leads to my next question, but I think you've answered it with the passport issue.

If Ireland is a separate country, what happens if a foreign power tries to invade it? It has no Army. The British military would come to the rescue. Correct?

Weird. 4 separate countries under one military. I don't think we have that anywhere else in the world.

Separate countries under one military hmmmm I heard that one recently in the news but can't remember the 2 countries

 

[Gandhi]

Lets hope so then as Ireland should be reunited.

Ironically it would only happen if nationalism decreases. Cries for a united Ireland send the protestants running back to the UK while Brexit makes at least some of them want to remain in Europe aka stay with the Irish.

 

[King Joffery]

I'm not too familiar with the conflict in Ireland, but from my superficial knowledge it seems ridiculous that it boils down to "you worship the same god as me, but in a slightly different way, so we have to kill you."

I assume the state is involved with the church which is an issue and this seems like a good example of why you don't mix religion and government.

It was never really about religion, thats a common misconception, it was always a geopolitical conflict. It basically boils down to the Nationalists wanting the Brits out and reunification with Ireland whilst the loyalists want to be part of Britain.

 

[King Joffery]

Lets hope so then as Ireland should be reunited.

I doubt the Irish in the south want them back now whilst the UK would love to get rid as they are a big financial drain for whoever has to support them.
Ironically the nationalists want to be part of Ireland but the Irish don't want them whilst the loyalists want to be part of Britain but the British don't want them either :lol:

 

[Lord Coke]

 

[BillytheFish]

Ok. That leads to my next question, but I think you've answered it with the passport issue.

If Ireland is a separate country, what happens if a foreign power tries to invade it? It has no Army. The British military would come to the rescue. Correct?

Weird. 4 separate countries under one military. I don't think we have that anywhere else in the world.

Just seen this sorry. Ireland has its own army. And even though there is no hard border (everything that is not a road is basically open fields), historically if the British military was found in Irish territory it is illegal and classed as an invasion of sorts.

This led to the IRA adopting tactics where they would snipe at British patrols from the Irish side, meaning they could escape easier knowing the British military could not quickly engage. There are protocols in place but that is an agreement with the Irish police and Police Service of Northern Ireland and the British military. Obviously that opens a whole can of worms where the Irish police on the border may not exactly be too willing to help British forces capture terrorists.

 

[Happy Man]

This has to hold the title for most retarded lyrics.

Calling out guys who wear a uniform that is purposely distinguishable to non combative civilians. Unlike those who hide as civilians yet proclaim to be an armed force.

"Fight me like a man"

Yes, Mano y Mano.

Drunk guy saying he will fight any Black and Tan right then and there.