Is this the return of the IRA?

So what are British Troops still doing in the area? Still sounds like an occupation if you ask me. And wasn't the treaty back in the day somewhat forced? Aka the Irish didn't have much choice? Sorta like Wales....

 

Hello Martin, not wishing to dive into politics here, but I have to disagree with what you said about there never being a British occupation......how do you think Ireland became part of the British Empire in the first place - we did'nt exactly fill out an on-line application form for entry.

It was through military force,...... and until the whole of the island was under English rule and hence officially part of the British Empire - (well according to the British themselves) it was a military occupation (and some will argue an occuption to this day).

P.S .... don't get me wrong I totally agree, that the people behind these murders, are complete scumbags - and don't represent the population. (same goes to all of the muders on both sides, down through the years - utter scum - the lot of them ) All sections of society, that make up Northern Ireland want to, and are trying to live in peace - hopefully this incident will not be a major setback to that peace.

 

One thing is for sure, this will test the peace process but I believe there attack will not break that peace and hopefully these people are bought to justice.

 

It sounds like to me that the SOBs don't appreciate anything that England and the British people give to them. I can't stand unappreciative folks. I would almost say that was funny because of a direct comparison I can make with that and with the USAs curent situation in trying to give aid in places like Somalia (in years past that is) as well as in whateverthehellBURMAiscalledthesedays?

 

The history of Ireland is very long and complicated with wrong done by the various factions over many years. Suspicion and distrust are hard to put aside. You need to read the history from both sides and even then it is difficult for the outsider to understand the problems.
The Good Friday Accord came about by men who had lived the horror and saw the need to change. That took guts. If it failed they would have payed the price. The members Andy pants and Martin have a different view on the history just like so many people in N. Ireland. The population are looking to the future, history will not go away but hopefully it will be viewed as something shared. I am English and would like to see a united Ireland. However the only people who can decide that are the ones who live there and I think they are doing just fine.

Moderator please remove this post if you think I have stepped over any lines. Thank you.

Moderator comment. It is okay to disagree. Polite discussion is what we want, and in that endeavor you were successful. Carry on.

 

hello rhs

don't worry - no lines over stepped in my belief.....you have a worhwhile opinion, good to hear.

 

this is disturbing news to hear

 

I stand corrected.

Anyhow, it looks like it's kicking off again, as usual. I agree - pull the 'Occupation Forces' out and leave them all to it.....at least Iraq has sunshine and oil.

 

Double post.

 

Iraq has a lot more than Sunshine (Not all the time-a misconception) and oil.

 

I'm just starting to read up on Ireland and how the country was divided. One thing is for sure it's a long and complicated history with twists and turns.

I don't think the people of Northern Ireland want to go back to the bad old days and to come this far is a testament to there courage to move forward in peace.

Don't let these few miserable swine break that peace.

 

your absolutly right about that Richard......when i was in school, id say easily, we must have spent about 60% of our history classes reading/talking about this particular part of Ireland's/England's history.......so much so i was boried - but only after leaving school did I really understand most of it and then became very interested in certain aspects. In some respects it's hard to comprehend because it's still actually on-going (and looks as if it will be for some time to come).

 

bloody right its complicated;my great grandad was a black and tan,i dont know what this means?,dont trust wiki,because its probabably a new history of protestant or catholicism history.
i doubt ill never know his job,without it beiing twisted by do-gooders.

 

Hello 4th wilits

Do you know if he served in the armed forces during WW1..........because most (90 - 95%) of the Black and Tans were men, who after the war could'nt get work, so they came over to Ireland to "police / enforce " british rule. The british used them because they were already trained as soldiers and "ready for work" ......but in reality they were not suited to such a task, as combat troops (who had been in the trenchs) were not trained to be policemen (far too aggressive), policing a mostly civilian population (they werent intended to be policeman) .......... As history shows, things did'nt really "work out"

They were called the black and tans , because of the mixture of uniforms they wore (part soldier/ part policeman - black and tan)...... just surplus uniforms left over from the war / shortages of equipment etc


Do you know much about his past?

AndyPants

 

P. S ...... i just had a look at the information supplied on Wikipedia about the black and tans .......and to be honest (like it or not) it's a pretty good article and the information / satatistics are sound.

- you'd find the same information in books (more in-depth or course).


AndyPants

 

yes andypants,he was in the east african mounted rifles in ww1,but he changed his name just after,in 1919.then he went to ireland,cheers.

 

Sorry 4th, the Black and Tans are as abhorrent to British arms as were the B specials in Ulster before they were disbanded. But as Andy pants says, they were usually there for the only reason that no work existed at home.
However, their record is not a proud one.

As for the dangers of this all blowing up again. Of course its always there, and always will be. Our betters though, know the answer, they know the leadership, they know his farm and his border straddling customs busting tactics. They know his financial dealings on the mainland and have many a time ignored his dealings. They also know of his part in Nairacs demise and what happened on his farm. And they mess about asking for locals help and MI5 then ask for specific information on their site please...Its a con. They never touched him for Omagh and they wont now. Mr.Adams and Mr. Powell needed his asquiesence at the start of the Good Friday dealings, and they know and knew he and his followers can and will remind us of their existance when they deem it necessary.

By all means ask the general public for help and assistance in dealing with such matters, but if you believe they dont know who is behind this your deluded.

Mussolini, get a history book too matey.

 

he must have had an exciting time of it?....did he stay stationed in africa, or was he sent to europe?

 

Britain's continued occupation of Northern Ireland is nothing like the nationbuilding that the United States conducted in the Philippines, Just for the record, my old friend

I do however agree with your final question, however.

I hope this comment doesnt start a flame war, but I have to tell you I find it very easy to sympathize with the cause of a United Ireland.