General Chat

When the 12th July coincides with hot weather, there is always trouble...

The English created the Irish problem with the "plantations" of Scottish presybterian settlers (occupiers) in the C17. Since then London has never bothered over much to understand pretty well anything about Ireland treating it not much differently to a nearby colony rather than an integral part of the UK. Unsurprisingly this failed big time leading to the current partition.

After 1922 the English took no lessons at all from their failure in 1922 which directly led to a resurgence of trouble starting in the late 60s. It was only brought to an uneasy peace thanks to the Good Friday Agreement.

The current government shows no sign whatsoever of understanding / caring about the island of Ireland still less its responsibilities as signatory to an international treaty. If it carries on as at the moment, hugger mugger with the DUP, direct rule from London for 18 months now, then indeed there will be difficulties. I am no fan of Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein but it is of no use laying anything that happens now at his door.

Hot headed nationalists see Adams as a traitor in a similar way to the manner in which hard line brexiters see May as somebody who has "sold out". The more that the London govt creates excuses the more incidents there will be. It is because of these people ( and their counterparts on the Unionist side) that Dublin insists on the letter of the G.F. agreement being applied.

There is no way in which the UK Govt can meet its obligations under the G.F. agreement, EU/Dublin demands for no kind of border controls between ROI and the 6 counties and avoiding travel controls at Irish Sea ports ( Stranraer, Liverpool, Holyhead, Fishguard ). There are controls at these ports anyway for livestock and animal products while ID is usually demanded.

Its best line of escape would be to let the 6 counties go and reunify Ireland. A big majority in NI voted remain and given demographic changes it will happen anyway within 20 years. Given obstinate and dishonest people such as Arlene Foster the rupture will be sooner rather than later.

Most people are unaware that ROI is bringing into service giant RO-RO ferries so that ROI - EU trade will no longer pass through the UK.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/brexit-busting-ferry-launched-from-dublin-port-1.3468760
Such measures leave Dublin in a strong position to veto any Brexit withdrawal agreement which it dislikes.

The number of people over the years who have been intimidated by his. He who

always has a bodyguard while property is blown up, people shot, cannot be even

estimated. :-(

Also made an effective spokesperson

'Hate' is a nasty word. 'Dislike' is more acceptable when discussing any disagreeable politician.

I have long been of the opinion that the July 12th marches to "celebrate" a

piece of history from 400 hundred years ago only reinforces the divisions in NI.

Adams is hated by many and feared by many more.

There is a continuing need for people of 'good will' from all sides to reject the annual July 12th resurrection of violence & general irritation.

The home of the recently "retired" Gerry Adams home has been petrol bombed :-|