Northern Ireland General Discussion

[patrick1]

It is weird to see Big Ian fade away into history.  He really could be such an evil man at one point  and a fair representative for his community at another.  Hatred and respect at the same time.

[patrick1]

Well the UVF has now decommissioned so I hardly see this as any worse than Sinn Fein today.

While I sorta agree- The problem is the much of the leadership and membership from the Loyalist paramilitaries has turned to drug dealing and outright gangsterism. Of course, the republican movement has some members who have gone down same path.  However, the PUP supporting these types isnt electorally popular.  All this is inconsequential anyway as he party died with Ervine. 

[patrick1]

The murder of a Catholic member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on Saturday by a car-bomb in Omagh is another unfortunate reminder of the residual force dissident republicans maintain. Thankfully public and official sentiment appears to be at one in strong condemnation of the action. (The upcoming elections will show again quite clearly that these groups have no significant public support.)

Violent republicanism is in a new phase now, with the continuing 'normalisation' process in NI. The PSNI is now around 30% Catholic. It seems there is now a specific tactic by dissidents to target Catholic policemen - on why this may be so.

http://www.humanrights.ie/index.php/2011/04/03/why-the-dissidents-kill/

It will be interesting whether the recruitment drive will continue now that the 50/50 rule has been dropped.

[patrick1]

Not the biggest Galloway fan but bravo for him standing his ground against bigotry here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3ejZmuJlv0

[patrick1]

Looks like the Ulster Unionists are pulling out of Government over claims the IRA may have been involved in a recent murder.

Pathetic maneuvering by UUP