Irish Current Affairs

[aguero93:20]

Peelers are saying it was Dissident Republicans...dont think any have officially claimed it though

Doesn't really narrow it down :)

 

[AlexWilliamsGloves]

Doesn't really narrow it down :)

"the newest and bestest 'RA"

 

[aguero93:20]

"the newest and bestest 'RA"

And realest don't forget.

 

[mancity2012_eamo]

Peelers are saying it was Dissident Republicans...dont think any have officially claimed it though

Probably won't claim it either as it wasn't successful.
Imagine that going off on the ferry.

 

[AlexWilliamsGloves]

Probably won't claim it either as it wasn't successful.
Imagine that going off on the ferry.

Personally, i dont think it would have been set off...its a warning, yes with a viable device....but it was phoned in. Different, but similar to the agreed code words used during the troubles.

But it wont take long for forewarning to disappear or for an accident to happen.

So in recent weeks/months theres been a big arms/munitions find in the Lagan close to the City Centre and now this....in and around where i live and where i work. It may be hundreds of miles from where you guys all are, but its beside me,,,beside my kids, my family, my friends and thousands or normal innocent people

 

[mancity2012_eamo]

Personally, i dont think it would have been set off...its a warning, yes with a viable device....but it was phoned in. Different, but similar to the agreed code words used during the troubles.

But it wont take long for forewarning to disappear or for an accident to happen.

So in recent weeks/months theres been a big arms/munitions find in the Lagan close to the City Centre and now this....in and around where i live and where i work. It may be hundreds of miles from where you guys all are, but its beside me,,,beside my kids, my family, my friends and thousands or normal innocent people

Worrying times Alex.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Shit isnt it?

This isnt because of Brexit...but its opportunism on a few levels

Why do you say its not Brexit related mate?

 

[AlexWilliamsGloves]

Imagine the headlines and hours of news reports....

"Large arms find in the river Thames...."
"Large arms find in the Manchester Ship Canal"
"Bomb found in lorry driving through London/Manchester/Birmingham"

 

[aguero93:20]

Personally, i dont think it would have been set off...its a warning, yes with a viable device....but it was phoned in. Different, but similar to the agreed code words used during the troubles.

Yeah don't think it would have been set off either. Remote detonation is quite difficult when they couldn't have known exactly where the lorry would be and most of their vehicle bombs were set to go off on ignition of the engine. Similar to the phosphorus letter bombs from a few years back.

 

[AlexWilliamsGloves]

Why do you say its not Brexit related mate?

This threat has been here for years....the GFA will never have eradicated it...but reduced the possibility of anything happening. Brexit isnt the cause of this...its an excuse, opportunity to dig shit up, to stir emotions and dare i say, recruit! See how quick Sinn Fein were to use it as an opportunity to call for a Border Poll??

 

[mancity2012_eamo]

Is there an article I could read that you know of that summarises the runners and riders in the Irish election?

Why do you say its not Brexit related mate?

The article mcfc1632 posted gives a external but decent run down of the main parties and leaders.
I'll see if I can dig out something from over here.
Regarding the Brexit related bit, I'm sure Alex could show more insight, but I'd say it's always been there in the background. what was noticed throughout the Brexit campaign was that these previously insignificant cranks/dissidents hadn't much support but are using Brexit as an opportunistic way of trying to gain significance again.
I'd hope that nothing stupid is done in the TA negotiations to encourage these groups further.
There is no support for this in the community down south and I'm sure Alex could offer a better opinion on the North.

 

[mancity2012_eamo]

Yeah don't think it would have been set off either. Remote detonation is quite difficult when they couldn't have known exactly where the lorry would be and most of their vehicle bombs were set to go off on ignition of the engine. Similar to the phosphorus letter bombs from a few years back.

A reminder that they are there.
Perhaps promoting the idea that they have more capabilities than they have in reality.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

Personally, i dont think it would have been set off...its a warning, yes with a viable device....but it was phoned in. Different, but similar to the agreed code words used during the troubles.

But it wont take long for forewarning to disappear or for an accident to happen.

So in recent weeks/months theres been a big arms/munitions find in the Lagan close to the City Centre and now this....in and around where i live and where i work. It may be hundreds of miles from where you guys all are, but its beside me,,,beside my kids, my family, my friends and thousands or normal innocent people

Who/whats funding them, drug money?

 

[mancity2012_eamo]

Who/whats funding them, drug money?

Criminality definitely. Smuggling?

 

[AlexWilliamsGloves]

The article mcfc1632 posted gives a external but decent run down of the main parties and leaders.
I'll see if I can dig out something from over here.
Regarding the Brexit related bit, I'm sure Alex could show more insight, but I'd say it's always been there in the background. what was noticed throughout the Brexit campaign was that these previously insignificant cranks/dissidents hadn't much support but are using Brexit as an opportunistic way of trying to gain significance again.
I'd hope that nothing stupid is done in the TA negotiations to encourage these groups further.
There is no support for this in the community down south and I'm sure Alex could offer a better opinion on the North.

Id say its the same up here...no support for republican violence...the confusing situation is that of loyalists. Not exactly renowned for the "terrorism skills", but they must feel very isolated and forgotten...the UK/GB they strive for seems to be disowning them, they feel VERY let down by the Tories....they are supporters of Brexit, but its cutting them off from the UK.
They believe they have physically and violently fought for the UK during the troubles...they have killed and been killed for that....and now they are being traded off.

Its a very different conundrum

 

[Saddleworth2]

Given that the election takes place this weekend and the extent to which the outcome has implications for the UK - I was surprised that there was not a thread on this.

Perhaps there is not sufficient interest - although I personally have been monitoring how things are developing and we seem to have few posters based in Ireland.

I thought that this article provided helpful summary for those unaware of the status:

https://time.com/5778249/ireland-elections-2020/

good article. thanks for posting.

 

[AlexWilliamsGloves]

Who/whats funding them, drug money?

Id say yes, smuggling and im sure rackateering too...."protection money" from local businesses.

Lets just say the possibility of borders isnt exactly appealing for smugglers...im sure they are prepared to go to great lengths to protect their "business"

 

[Saddleworth2]

@mcfc1632 expressed an interest in the Irish election and posted this in a new thread.
I don't know if the thread will be merged, but felt it appropriate to place the article in here.
https://time.com/5778249/ireland-elections-2020/

Saw Mary Lou on TV3 last night and as well as she performs, the damage is done by the Paul Quinn/Connor Murphy debacle.
Also the family were on the Stephen Nolan show on BBC NI last night and the apology is ringing a little hollow.

What I think this will do is it will put enough doubt in any wavering minds down south, of anyone who was contemplating taking a chance on Sinn Fein.
There is a definite desire for the changes being talked about on social issues by the more left leaning parties and independents.
Sinn Fein under Mary Lou are riding high on the crest of this, in the polls. This even surprised themselves and they haven't enough candidates prepped to stand.
I think when push comes to shove on Saturday a lot of that interest will think twice before entering the ballot booth.
They are still not trusted down south to be let loose in government. There is a feeling that at some stage if genuine change is to happen then the likes of them will have to be given a chance to prove themselves. But as on TV3 last night, they can't shake off the tag of being puppets to their masters behind the scenes up north, no matter how much they deny it.

The fact that that is what Mary Lou is explaining and answering now, is a set back. If your explaining you're losing.
She was riding high on sticking to the issues that were hurting Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, how much of a set back this is, will be interesting.

Interesting. How far have Sinn Feinn broken free of their past? Are they genuinely just another political party now. I suspect from your post that they are not.

 

[AlexWilliamsGloves]

Who/whats funding them, drug money?

Now im not suggesting that Sinn Fein are influenced by the 'RA ;-)

https://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/sinn-fein-fundraising-15m-new-york

Friends of Sinn Féin made history by raising more money than any other political party in Irish history in Manhattan on Thursday evening.

Sinn Féin passed the $15 million fundraising mark with another sell-out dinner in Manhattan, New York, on Thursday night. The event, attended by 700, was held in the midtown Sheraton Hotel ballroom. The political party has been fundraising since 1995 to reach the $15 million total.


EDIT - i should add this bit:

Other parties including Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have tried to fundraise in America but have had little success.

 

[aguero93:20]

Who/whats funding them, drug money?

Drugs, contraband cigarettes/tobacco, arms running.