The IRA

[AllAmericanRageJunky]

give a poor Oregonian some information here.

the IRA stands for the Irish Republican Army, it is mostly made of Catholics and launches various violent attacks on British establishments. that’s about all I know, but seeing as how I get my news from cable TV. and am not directly effected by this organization most or all of the above could be wrong.

educate me please. editorial, expository, biased, whatever.

[budda]

Well the IRA isnt 'mainly Catholic' it could easily be described as purely Catholic. Except of course not all that many of them could be considered good Catholics in the true sense.

Basically as it stands now the IRA is a criminal gang, not that disimilar to many others. They have their patch and they control the crime which goes on there, they smuggle drugs, extort money....etc.

Oh and theres some politics there too, but not much of it.

[marv]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRA

Wikipedia is quite a good start if you want to start researching things and Google is your friend.

[Man Of Kent]

Worth noting that the IRA has been funded, in part, by many of your countrymen. They had a front organisation NORAID who raised money in the US... naturally in NYC and Boston particularly...

It that which makes us "laugh" about the fight against terror...

[morrocan roll]

indeedy.
new yorkers pain for my home city of manchester in the north of england to suffer the biggest explosion since the second world in england ...city centre gone ...thankyou new yorkers ...
funny how they can fund the blowing up of my skyscrapers and then get all shocked and tearful when they get some back.

[The Matadore]

The IRA is a criminal gang and should be treated as such.

[Aladdin]

I for once agree with Matadore.

[Kermit]

They should.

Though I think the peace process in Northern Ireland actually shows that the best way to treat terrorism is with diplomacy. The IRA in the 1970s had nothing to lose, so they blew things up without any thought; now the nationalists have a say in the political agenda, they have something to lose, so it's no coincidence that the IRA have largely regressed into being the criminal overlords of Catholic NI instead of committing terrorism. The same thing would happen in Spain if the Basques received some concessions, and the same would happen in Iraq if the Sunnis were given a say too.

[Tim the Enchanter]

They should.

Though I think the peace process in Northern Ireland actually shows that the best way to treat terrorism is with diplomacy. The IRA in the 1970s had nothing to lose, so they blew things up without any thought; now the nationalists have a say in the political agenda, they have something to lose, so it's no coincidence that the IRA have largely regressed into being the criminal overlords of Catholic NI instead of committing terrorism. The same thing would happen in Spain if the Basques received some concessions, and the same would happen in Iraq if the Sunnis were given a say too.

I wouldn't agree entirely, I mean the 2002 the IRA were busted for stealing confidential files from Stormont and breaking into the police HQ in Belfast. Not massive terrorist acts, but still not acceptable activity for an organisation that's meant to be winding down.

[Yerascrote]

Basically it's an organisation that has Marxist origins, how thats changed, the whole catholic thing is just a stigma attached to it during the late 60's early 70's, used to have a point, now just scumbags who smuggle everything from alcohol and diesel to clothes and CD's, shoot and beat young teens, still has a stranglehold over certain communities, dicks really.

[Spliffie]

Basically it's an organisation that has Marxist origins, how thats changed, the whole catholic thing is just a stigma attached to it during the late 60's early 70's, used to have a point, now just scumbags who smuggle everything from alcohol and diesel to clothes and CD's, shoot and beat young teens, still has a stranglehold over certain communities, dicks really.

Didn't the Marxism come later on in the IRA's history?

[Tim the Enchanter]

Didn't the Marxism come later on in the IRA's history?

The Provisional IRA was established in 1969 as a breakaway group from the old IRA who wanted to stop armed conflict and enter into politics as a marxist party. I don't know how long it took the PIRA to adopt a Marxist ideology as well, but it was certainly before Sinn Fein was created in the early 1980s.

[Yerascrote]

Didn't the Marxism come later on in the IRA's history?

it was founded round the same time as the russian revolution, it didn't have a Marxist mandate at the time but shared the same values, i think the PIRA have one though and yes thats 50 odd years later.

[Kermit]

I wouldn't agree entirely, I mean the 2002 the IRA were busted for stealing confidential files from Stormont and breaking into the police HQ in Belfast. Not massive terrorist acts, but still not acceptable activity for an organisation that's meant to be winding down.

It's still not quite up there with blowing people up, though.

They're a criminal gang now, and part of that is breaking into places and stealing things.

[Yerascrote]

It's still not quite up there with blowing people up, though.

They're a criminal gang now, and part of that is breaking into places and stealing things.

terrorism is more than just "blowing people up", i can almost garauntee that some illegal organisation has mine and Tim's whole life on a file somewhere in a floppy disk, where i live, who my family is, this is terrorizing and intimidating the community is an invisible terror, but fuck them, their power is dying, not totally but i'll shed no tears when it does.

[Kermit]

Of course it is, I don't think that the IRA are exactly all gone away and soft now. They're still the same bastards they always were, and if you don't behave yourself in many parts of Newry, Londonderry and Belfast then you'll have a high-velocity lead injection into your kneecaps. Or so I understand, anyway.

[Tim the Enchanter]

Exactly, when the IRA were gathering intelligence in Stormont they got their hands on the personal details of hundreds of prison officers. This shows that just because they haven't returned to violence yet doesn't mean they've put it out of their minds in any way. I won't believe the IRA have turned their back on terrorism until I know they've decommisioned.

[Yerascrote]

Of course it is, I don't think that the IRA are exactly all gone away and soft now. They're still the same bastards they always were, and if you don't behave yourself in many parts of Newry, Londonderry and Belfast then you'll have a high-velocity lead injection into your kneecaps. Or so I understand, anyway.

true, there are countless amount of PIRA run estates in newry, belfast and londonderry, even my estate is, i've been warned a few times that if i don't wise up i'll get a beating, a good friend of mine got his knees done in a while back, when you think abut it, if there's a social problem, they deal with it, not exactl ythe society you want to live in.

[Flashman's Ghost]

All through my life the IRA and their loyalist counterparts (UVF and UFF are bastards as much as the Provos) disfigured Northern Ireland.

At times it was little things such as all the police being armed (and as a kid I could never understand why we visited my Dad's relatives on the mainland none of the police carried guns), or being held up at an army checkpoint while they checked we weren't terrorists.

But much of it was more serious. I lost family members to the IRA. The graveyard in the back of our church holds graves of men killed by the IRA. The youngest was just nineteen. A few years ago my Mum counted that she knew close to twenty people murdered by terrorists - ranging from the man who had been her first boyfriend when they were at school (and his brother had been murdered a few years earlier) to someone who'd done some labouring for my grandpa and was murdered in front of his kids because the UVF muddled him up with someone else.

It wasn't politics which made the terrorists give up, but the realisation that over thirty years they had achieved nothing which couldn't have been achieved by the early seventies. All they'd done was leave Northern Ireland more divided than ever and a hell of a lot of widows and kids without parents.

[Shogun]

They were fighting a war but now they'r just people who are involved in everything illegal from diesel smuggling to drugs to selling fake vodka out of caravans at a market every week, they'r just interested in money now and keeping the youth under control in their areas.

I've heard of people getting their knees done in for joyriding and stuff like that, generally causing a nuisance in the area. But if the police can't stop young teens destroying the area due to lack of evidence the IRA can simply find out who done it and issue their own punishment.

Northern Ireland is actually very wierd to live in, like in certain places the Provos run the show and the ordinary people are too scared to say anything.

[AllAmericanRageJunky]

so in the beginning what was their motivation, their "cause"?

[Yerascrote]

so in the beginning what was their motivation, their "cause"?

hmm...i could wirte a book on it but basically, here's the lowdown, 800 years ago, brits moved to ireland for first time, got control of lands, after a while, protestants form scotland and england settled in ireland, mainly ulster, catholics persecuted all the while, republicans had rebellions throughtout centuries but none by organisations, by 1900's, Socialists like James Connoly and Padraig Pearse organised themselves into group to remove British Imperialism, caled IRB, had rising in 1916, IRA formed after rising, fought british government for new irish state, got part independence, IRA sorta died out, came back during 50's, then during Civil Rights marches of 1968-69, the IRA got dragged into struggle as catholics were still being persecuted, from then on, it became a struggle for independence from the british state. here's a good site

http://cain.ulst.ac.uk

[Tim the Enchanter]

hmm...i could wirte a book on it but basically, here's the lowdown, 800 years ago, brits moved to ireland for first time, got control of lands, after a while, protestants form scotland and england settled in ireland, mainly ulster, catholics persecuted all the while, republicans had rebellions throughtout centuries but none by organisations, by 1900's, Socialists like James Connoly and Padraig Pearse organised themselves into group to remove British Imperialism, caled IRB, had rising in 1916, IRA formed after rising, fought british government for new irish state, got part independence, IRA sorta died out, came back during 50's, then during Civil Rights marches of 1968-69, the IRA got dragged into struggle as catholics were still being persecuted, from then on, it became a struggle for independence from the british state. here's a good site

http://cain.ulst.ac.uk

Ahh the number of times people have asked me what the Troubles were about when I've been drunk.......... *take massive breath* "well it all began in 1169..."

[Yerascrote]

Ahh the number of times people have asked me what the Troubles were about when I've been drunk.......... *take massive breath* "well it all began in 1169..."

:lol: tell me about it

[budda]

I won't believe the IRA have turned their back on terrorism until I know they've decommisioned.

Yeah, but how do you ever know when they have done that?

Just because they have put lots of guns in contrete or cut them up and a priest is allowed to watch doesnt mean they have gotten rid of all the guns they have.

[Tim the Enchanter]

Yeah, but how do you ever know when they have done that?

Just because they have put lots of guns in contrete or cut them up and a priest is allowed to watch doesnt mean they have gotten rid of all the guns they have.

Call me naive, but I'll be happy to accept the British and Irish govts word that the IRA have decommissioned to at least a significant extent. The Brits must have infiltrated the IRA enough to know what the arms supplies are like.

[budda]

Call me naive, but I'll be happy to accept the British and Irish govts word that the IRA have decommissioned to at least a significant extent. The Brits must have infiltrated the IRA enough to know what the arms supplies are like.

I just think that they must have loads of weapons they dont need anymore, they arent fighting a war anymore, so lots of it I'm guessing they dont want.

And of course whats stopping them buy more, they must make quite a bit from all their little 'businesses'.

I dont want to overtly dump on the process though, any guns put out of action is a good thing.

[Tim the Enchanter]

Hmmm it's a good point, but I think they're probably playing it safe by sitting on their present stockpiles so they still have a bargaining tool. If they were to buy in more weapons I think they'd have to be seriously committed to a return to armed conflict because they'd run a serious risk of being caught and fear the wrath of a post 9/11 USA.

[budda]

Yes, but you cant run a big smuggling/extortion operation without guns can you.

[Tim the Enchanter]

Well I never expect the IRA to decommission entirely, just its mortars, sniper rifles, semtex etc. I know they'll hang onto their handguns and armalites to conduct their filthy business.

[Flashman's Ghost]

They could buy more - but destroying those they got would show they were serious about the peace process. You have to ask why they want to keep guns if they are fully committed to peaceful politics.

[budda]

Well I never expect the IRA to decommission entirely, just its mortars, sniper rifles, semtex etc. I know they'll hang onto their handguns and armalites to conduct their filthy business.

Indeed, all the footage they show of weapons is of big rifles and such, things that arent exactly useful if your a drug dealer.

[Shogun]

They could buy more - but destroying those they got would show they were serious about the peace process. You have to ask why they want to keep guns if they are fully committed to peaceful politics.

They want to keep their areas in control.

What about loyalist paramilitaries weapons, they've guns too.

[morrocan roll]

http://img182.exs.cx/img182/7966/geryadams5ot.jpg

[Flashman's Ghost]

They want to keep their areas in control.

What about loyalist paramilitaries weapons, they've guns too.

No argument from me - they're murdering thugs as well.

And whilst we're at it I'd love to see atime when the police don't have to carry weapons and the army is returned to barracks.

I've no problem with the gun being taken out of Irish politics. I do have a problem with the armalite and the ballot box strategy.

[el_bertie]

hmm...i could wirte a book on it but basically, here's the lowdown, 800 years ago, brits moved to ireland for first time, got control of lands, after a while, protestants form scotland and england settled in ireland, mainly ulster, catholics persecuted all the while, republicans had rebellions throughtout centuries but none by organisations, by 1900's, Socialists like James Connoly and Padraig Pearse organised themselves into group to remove British Imperialism, caled IRB, had rising in 1916, IRA formed after rising, fought british government for new irish state, got part independence, IRA sorta died out, came back during 50's, then during Civil Rights marches of 1968-69, the IRA got dragged into struggle as catholics were still being persecuted, from then on, it became a struggle for independence from the british state. here's a good site

http://cain.ulst.ac.uk

Sorry to nitpick, it's just I'm writing my dissertation on the Irish Civil War at the mo, and just to say, Pearse wasn't a socialist, and Connolly wasn't a member of the IRB. The main reason for the IRA's disapperance was their defeat in the Civil War, and thus it's amalgamation into the army of the Free State.

[you_only_ live _once]

Please note "turlough" comes from a strong IRA supporting area and USED to have smypathy for the organisation,he has lost all respect due to his drug taking

[you_only_ live _once]

Actually Tim, the IRA openly allowed internation inspectors to check out their Arms dumps and reported back what all there was and they could tell the stuff wasnt being used

[morrocan roll]

,he has lost all respect due to his drug taking
he has the respect of many people on these boards ...me for one.

[Yerascrote]

he has the respect of many people on these boards ...me for one.

cheers boss :thumb:

you_only_live_once how can you expect me to support an organisaiton which abuses it's community rather than protect it (it's original purpose) people don't want that shit these days...we wanna move on and it's more than just drug use but i suposse it helped me get over the illusion of politics here.

p.s.hangover on monday :p

[Martin_Bashir]

Please note "turlough" comes from a strong IRA supporting area and USED to have smypathy for the organisation,he has lost all respect due to his drug taking

he has put across articulate and well constructed points not only in this thread but in many others...you on the other hand have just made the most ludicrous of logical jumps and exposed your view as being ill-founded, bigotted and nonsensical

[you_only_ live _once]

Bashir, I know him far better than you thats it

[Martin_Bashir]

Bashir, I know him far better than you thats it

i dont give a fuck if you're his best mat or long lost brother, how the hell are we supposed to know in what context you mean what you are saying if you're posting it on a public board...

tbh there werent many other ways in which that could be read, how are we supposed to know who does and doesnt know each other on this board?

[Yerascrote]

i dont give a fuck if you're his best mat or long lost brother, how the hell are we supposed to know in what context you mean what you are saying if you're posting it on a public board...

tbh there werent many other ways in which that could be read, how are we supposed to know who does and doesnt know each other on this board?

he's actually my cousin...but yes you couldn't have known that and the only way to interpret what someone says is what they say and he did say something stupid and arrogant but tbh i didn't expect more from him.

[Martin_Bashir]

arrrgghhhh.....how many of you bastards are there? :D

you know EVERYONE...its like the mafia...or ...the MURPHYA :D

i personally think you should all have to declare yourselves :yes:

[Yerascrote]

arrrgghhhh.....how many of you bastards are there? :D

you know EVERYONE...its like the mafia...or ...the MURPHYA :D

i personally think you should all have to declare yourselves :yes:

:lol: nah it's just me,you only live once,shogun and that boy steviemilne who live round this part of the country...i do have contacts though.....

[BlackArab]

Please note "turlough" comes from a strong IRA supporting area and USED to have smypathy for the organisation,he has lost all respect due to his drug taking

How much do they respect grasses these days, your supposed to be family, :rolleyes: What was wrong did he not buy them from the local 'IRA' hardman or something.

Never met Turlough but I'll respect him a million times over that cowardly scum. Can tell you'll make a good IRA supporter, right into attacking your own aren't you? :yes:

[you_only_ live _once]

He was also arrested and taken to a police station for making terreroist related death threats to a unionist activist in the area..lol sorry Turlough

[Yerascrote]

He was also arrested and taken to a police station for making terreroist related death threats to a unionist activist in the area..lol sorry Turlough

what an exageration of what happened "terrorist related" :rolleyes: ...being 13 at the time i didn't know no better and why mention it...is there any point...what you gettin at?

[Martin_Bashir]

hell, i've got videos on my phone of me pretending to be Bin Laden, sending video messages to my mates letting them know i was coming back to work :D

good time had by all....

[Vision-Razor]

Every country has it's gangsters but in Northern Ireland the gangsters justify it by saying they're doing it for a cause. :rolleyes:

Funny thing is the politicians could learn a thing or 2 from them, the provos and the black necks have been happily dividing business for years between themselves.

[AllAmericanRageJunky]

He was also arrested and taken to a police station for making terreroist related death threats to a unionist activist in the area..lol sorry Turlough

you would be good at politics, you can't seem to come up with good arguments so you go right into smearing people. how noble :yeees:

on lighter note I once had the cops called on me because the principal at my school found a scrap of paper which had the ingredients to dynamite and my signature on it. the golden part was the ingredients came from a video they made us watch in chem. class

[Cuddilicious]

i do have contacts though.....

I just burst out laughing when I read that :lol: