I posted based on an emotional reaction which is not what this forum is about.:oops: I apologise for agravating my fellow users.
I hope my apology will be accepted by all in the spirit in which it is given.
Kind regards,
HD
I think there is a difference between todays Real IRA, Continuity IRA etc and the ‘original’ IRA from the 1920’s
From what I’ve read, they were more in the ‘freedom-fighter’ mould (always in the eye of the beholder though) because they fought the Police and the British Army but didn’t get involved in the bombing of civilian targets etc.
The frightening thing about all ‘resistance’ groups is that it’s so easy to be labelled a ‘collaborator’ even if what you’re doing isn’t that major. I think if you declare for one side the other will get you; if you try to stay out of it, they’ll both have you!
The real rise in terrorism in N.I. was the split in 1969 of the IRA into 2 distinct groups.
The Official IRA (known as the Stickies) and the Provisional IRA(known as the Provos or PIRA)
The main disagreement(although not the only one)was that the Official IRA wanted to try using political means to realise their aims and PIRA wanted to continue the armed struggle.
Another point of tension between the 2 groups was the Officials leadership was based in Southern Ireland and that of PIRA was based in Northen Treland.The PIRA leadership felt that they were closer to the ground and knew best.
Given what happened in NI it wasn,t just criminal it was a waste of time(look at the make up of the N.I. Assembly).