Policeman shot dead in Northern Ireland. [Archive]

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Weetomuncher

03-09-2009, 05:55 PM

A policeman was killed tonight in Craigavon, County Armagh, Northern Ireland tonight in an ambush attack.

There had been earlier reports that the attack was near a secondary school but this has since been denied.

This attack follows the recent murder of two soldiers by 'Real IRA' dissidents who are trying to derail the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Hopefully the perpetrators of these attacks will face justice.

Charles RB

03-09-2009, 06:00 PM

Well this is a pisser - as the PSNI head pointed out last week, the hardline Republicans really wanted to kill Catholic officers (I'm assuming this is what they've done here) to embarrass Sinn Fein and so they can point to images of Fein politicians at a policeman's funeral as evidence that they're now collaborators.

They've won that goal then.

Solaris

03-09-2009, 07:15 PM

Lester C.

03-09-2009, 11:16 PM

Shite. Dammit.

C'mon, Ireland---think about living without worrying that your children will be blown up, and remember that terrorists are terrorists any way you cut them---don't let these terrorists bring back the troubles. Don't give them what they want.

To be fair it's only a small area we are talking about. Don't forget that 5/6 of Ireland is free of English rule.

king mob

03-10-2009, 01:25 AM

To be fair it's only a small area we are talking about. Don't forget that 5/6 of Ireland is free of English rule.

Northern Ireland is part of the UK and has it's own assembly which was voted for by a majority of people in NI. The Republic is a different country and independent of the UK, so all this 'under English rule' stuff is the language of those republicans who are trying to start this whole mess up again.

The people of Northern Ireland don't want to go back to the days of The Troubles and the horrible rhetoric and violence from both sides. They want peace and to see their country progress beyond that.

Constantine Drakon

03-10-2009, 03:02 AM

Northern Ireland is part of the UK and has it's own assembly which was voted for by a majority of people in NI. The Republic is a different country and independent of the UK, so all this 'under English rule' stuff is the language of those republicans who are trying to start this whole mess up again.

The people of Northern Ireland don't want to go back to the days of The Troubles and the horrible rhetoric and violence from both sides. They want peace and to see their country progress beyond that.

The majority of Ireland wants to be one country, free of English Rule. Those in Northern Ireland that wish to remain in the UK are the majority in the North, but (while there's some variation over the years) we're looking at something like a 57-63% majority. Those that want a United Ireland make up almost half the people in the North and the vast majority of Ireland overall. Do I want to see the return of The Troubles? Hell no. But you claim only hard-line republicans want to "start this whole mess up again"? Well I'm sorry, but the mess never really went away.

Charles RB

03-10-2009, 04:11 AM

The Real IRA and Continuity IRA are never going to get a unified Ireland their way. All they're going to achieve is to get a load of people killed for sweet fuck-all, and would set back the chance at unification (since I doubt the Irish government would want to have to put up with this shit).

I might feel vaguely sympathetic to their views if the country didn't now have a representative devolved government, greater stability, and a population that don't, for the most part, want to go back to violence and who have changing demographics. Not only are they not doing what the population wants, at this point unification looks inevitable.

Charles RB

03-10-2009, 04:21 AM

Continuity IRA are taking credit for the shooting. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7934426.stm)

PSNI Chief Constable claims:

Asked if the killing was linked to the soldiers' shooting at the weekend, Sir Hugh said: "I think you are giving (the attackers) credit they ill deserve.

"I think these are disparate groups, badly infiltrated and indeed many awaiting trial north and south of the border.

"It just reminds us that a small group of people determined to wreck what is huge political progress are becoming more dangerous."

which does sort of clash with earlier comments about how dangerous they are, because if they're that disparate and infiltrated they should be able to be brought down.

Solaris

03-10-2009, 04:23 AM

I love the Irish (and I'm partly Irish descent)---I just want 'em to be able to have happy, safe lives and to be able to focus on living life with the gusto, genuine appreciation, and verve that has made Ireland and the Irish famous around the world.

Lester C.

03-10-2009, 04:28 AM

Alt-World

03-10-2009, 06:31 AM

One thing that I don't want to see is the cycle of violence start up again in Northern Ireland. And its looking like it all happening again over religious divides...

Talk here about a unitied Ireland always infuriates me, if you go to Ireland and talk to the people there a lot of them don't want anything to do with the Northern Ireland.

Having lived through 'the troubles' and the mainland bombings (of which I was 200 yards from one back in the nineties), I have a lot of anger directed towards Irish Americans who say they are fighting for a united Ireland. If the Irish wanted to be united they would of done it decades ago. And by the way all the money you give to help a united Ireland be formed went to funding the IRA, and indirectly killing innocent people (thanks for investing in terrorism, chaps)

Northern Ireland is part of the UK, although like Scotland and Wales it is run independently from the central goverment in England. Troop levels in NI are no more than at local garrison levels now, the majority of Northern Irelanders just want peace, because they see stability and economic investment go hand in hand.

What we have here are a bunch of hardliners that are so eaten up by hate that they don't even know why they are fighting now, and resulting in criminal acts to try to control the population.

1 dead policeman, 2 dead soldiers its the saddest news I've heard coming out of Northern Ireland in a long time, and its a step backwards...

Charles RB

03-10-2009, 06:56 AM

its looking like it all happening again over religious divides...

It's a political divide causing this 'un.

Whether we're going to get the entire Troubles starting again is unlikely, because neither the state nor the population have the stomach for it. The hardliners will try to restart it, but they haven't got the popular support to fully pull that off.

Talk here about a unitied Ireland always infuriates me, if you go to Ireland and talk to the people there a lot of them don't want anything to do with the Northern Ireland.

They don't now because it's got too many mental bastards causing problems; I don't see this lasting forever though.

Charles RB

03-10-2009, 12:36 PM

A teenager and a 37-year-old man have been arrested and are being questioned. (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090310/tuk-two-held-over-policeman-murder-6323e80.html)

Article also mentions the circumstances of the attack, which makes it seem pretty clear the gunmen deliberately smashed a civilian woman's house to get the police out so they could shoot at them.

Lovely chaps.

NickThompson

03-10-2009, 12:48 PM

K-DoG7p7

03-10-2009, 01:10 PM

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/cranberries/video/xh5vq_cranberries-zombie

king mob

03-10-2009, 01:19 PM

The majority of Ireland wants to be one country, free of English Rule. Those in Northern Ireland that wish to remain in the UK are the majority in the North, but (while there's some variation over the years) we're looking at something like a 57-63% majority. Those that want a United Ireland make up almost half the people in the North and the vast majority of Ireland overall. Do I want to see the return of The Troubles? Hell no. But you claim only hard-line republicans want to "start this whole mess up again"? Well I'm sorry, but the mess never really went away.

The mess did go away as we stopped suffering bomb scares here on the mainland and the hardliners were reduced to being criminals as the political landscape changed drastically after the Omagh bombing. The Northern Irish had seen enough murder and death and had enough of it, hence the push toward the Good Friday agreement.

All this hyperbole about a 'united Ireland' and 'English rule' is as bad as papers like the Telegraph and Daily Mail questioning why the likes of Gerry Adams or Martin McGuinness haven't done enough, even though they've soundly condemned both attacks and are standing side by side with the likes of Ian fucking Paisley. It's attempting to speak in a language that most people don't want as the people of Northern Ireland voted for devolution and their assembly.

As mentioned, there's not support from a united Ireland from the Republic, especially now they've entered a recession worse than the UK's.

K-DoG7p7

03-10-2009, 01:33 PM

the Omagh bombing..
Kinda creepy to think that moments after this picture was taken.. that car blew up..
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Omagh_imminent.jpg

Charles RB

03-10-2009, 01:44 PM

Considering the Omagh bombing meant that the Real IRA, republicans out to unify with the Republic, blew up children from the Republic, you'd have thought they'd realise "hey we're a bunch of twats, let's not do that again"...

Gail Simone

03-10-2009, 02:10 PM

I'm going to BE in Ireland in two weeks.

It'd be nice not to get blown up.

Karl O'Neill

03-10-2009, 02:15 PM

I'm going to BE in Ireland in two weeks.

It'd be nice not to get blown up.

Come to me in dublin :)

I will look after you !

king mob

03-10-2009, 02:19 PM

I'm going to BE in Ireland in two weeks.

It'd be nice not to get blown up.

The violence isn't in the Republic, it's confined to Northern Ireland & only the two incidents, which is two too many.

Gail Simone

03-10-2009, 03:15 PM

Come to me in dublin :)

I will look after you !

You live in Dublin?

Cool, any good comics stores there? And what's fun to do that is off the tourist track?

Gail Simone

03-10-2009, 03:16 PM

The violence isn't in the Republic, it's confined to Northern Ireland & only the two incidents, which is two too many.

Nah, I know, I've been keeping up...I just feel bad for the victims and for the people that have to live under threat of this stuff.

FemGeek

03-10-2009, 03:38 PM

I'm going to BE in Ireland in two weeks.

It'd be nice not to get blown up.

You are? That's nice. the weather just cleared up to a tame un-horribleness so that's good. I've seen many a visiter get dissapointed and drowned by manky irish weather.
Don't worry bout being blown up, as far as I'm aware no tourists have ever been terror-killed over here, defnetley not in recent times anyway.

Gail Simone

03-10-2009, 10:03 PM

Cam63

03-10-2009, 11:19 PM

*Phones WhiteRose*

...You bet Rose can Riverdance while she works... BEGORRAH !
POTATOES !

darkhanamaru

03-11-2009, 12:09 AM

According to stats I can find, opinion in Northern Ireland are more 66% stay with the UK, 23% join Ireland.

http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2007/Political_Attitudes/NIRELND2.html

a devolved UK is very different than wanting to stay with the UK. a devolved UK is essentially self-rule so i would not take that as wanting to stay with the UK.

king mob

03-11-2009, 01:11 AM

a devolved UK is very different than wanting to stay with the UK. a devolved UK is essentially self-rule so i would not take that as wanting to stay with the UK.

True to a point. It's proof that the people of NI would prefer to deal with things in a way that avoids blowing people up and actually try to see if they can work within a devolved UK as Scotland and Wales do. It's still not suggesting there's a huge push in NI towards a reunified Ireland.

FemGeek

03-11-2009, 05:22 AM

Hey, very cool!

I have questions for you lovely Irish posters.

We're coming into Shannon, staying at a nice hotel in Limerick for three days, and then spending four nights in Dublin and coming home from there.

We have a rental car, so we'll be driving from Limerick to Dublin, which I'm told takes about three and a half hours. However someone said that going South and driving along the coastline is quite time-consuming, but very very beautiful.

Would you recommend going straight over, or taking the coastal route and seeing Cork and the like?

Well if you have the time and want to see the landscape and all that, it is worth it to drive along the coast. Be warned though, the roads are twisty and bad. Though while you're in limerick you could take a day trip down south instead (if you've had enough of Limerick parts), Limerick city is only bout an hours drive from Cork city. That way you wouldnt spen hours in a car getting to dublin. Cork is quite nice to see, lots of building work going on at the moment though.
And since you're staying in Limerick, I would recommend (if you have the time) going to see Bunratty Castle and Folk park. I love it there. It's a very accurate depiction of Irish Later Medieval life, if you're interested in that sort of thing.
Anyhow, hope that's a helpful answer :smile:

FemGeek

03-11-2009, 05:27 AM

True to a point. It's proof that the people of NI would prefer to deal with things in a way that avoids blowing people up and actually try to see if they can work within a devolved UK as Scotland and Wales do. It's still not suggesting there's a huge push in NI towards a reunified Ireland.

That's pretty true, there hasn't been talk of reunification for ages, everyones busy trying to stop all the terrorists from blowing up themselves and innocent people. Usually most people (about 60% anyway) would like to stay as part of the UK, and theres a lot of reasons why thats a good idea (roads, trade, commerce etc.) but you will always have people who will be bitter about the seperation and occupation in general.

Alan Lynch

03-11-2009, 05:33 AM

That's pretty true, there hasn't been talk of reunification for ages, everyones busy trying to stop all the terrorists from blowing up themselves and innocent people. Usually most people (about 60% anyway) would like to stay as part of the UK, and theres a lot of reasons why thats a good idea (roads, trade, commerce etc.) but you will always have people who will be bitter about the seperation and occupation in general.
Shit, let the terrorists blow themselves up. No problem with that - I just don't want them to do it next to other people.

They should all have a big party and blow each other up. That'd be fun.

Deathstroke

03-11-2009, 05:37 AM

Never kill a cop.

I don't care what your beef is, you kill a cop...I have no problem with you being put down like the rabid dog you are.

Alt-World

03-11-2009, 07:04 AM

Shit, let the terrorists blow themselves up. No problem with that - I just don't want them to do it next to other people.

They should all have a big party and blow each other up. That'd be fun.

The Terrorist in Northern Ireland don't have the courage to do that. All they can do is ambush, and blow unsuspecting innocents in the name of the 'Cause'

Ireland could be fully united and intergrated, these hardliners would still find a justification for their attacks. They are so hardbitten by hatred, that they really don't know what they are fighting for anymore, and don't realize they actually have achieved the original aims of the IRA - which was to remove direct British influence from NI.

Its a horrible complicated mess, which has only recently started to get better with all the power sharing and devolution stuff going on in the province. I don't want it all to go back to the horrors of the troubles back in the nineties and late eighties.

Gail Simone

03-11-2009, 07:38 AM

The fact that two PIZZA delivery guys were also shot, with the excuse that them delivering pizza was "collaborating with the enemies" is just repulsive. I can't believe they would get ANY support for that.

K-DoG7p7

03-11-2009, 09:55 AM

I know I allready posted this once.. but its now relevant to two things in this thread..
The Violence in Norther Ireland and Limerick (where the band is from)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CNMJSXSsFw

Gail Simone

03-11-2009, 09:57 AM

Well if you have the time and want to see the landscape and all that, it is worth it to drive along the coast. Be warned though, the roads are twisty and bad. Though while you're in limerick you could take a day trip down south instead (if you've had enough of Limerick parts), Limerick city is only bout an hours drive from Cork city. That way you wouldnt spen hours in a car getting to dublin. Cork is quite nice to see, lots of building work going on at the moment though.
And since you're staying in Limerick, I would recommend (if you have the time) going to see Bunratty Castle and Folk park. I love it there. It's a very accurate depiction of Irish Later Medieval life, if you're interested in that sort of thing.
Anyhow, hope that's a helpful answer :smile:

Yay! That's great advice, thank you. I'd heard that Bunratty is a little bit corny, but what the hell, I love a little bit of corn, sometimes!

That's very helpful. Thank you!

Charles RB

03-11-2009, 10:51 AM

king mob

03-11-2009, 12:17 PM

At the moment, they don't seem to be getting any. Which is good.

Not as far as we know. There's been reports of violence on various estates in parts of Northern Ireland as apparently some old woulds have been reopened. What's worse is we're only a month or so before the marching season starts and that could mean a very long nasty summer if that blows things up.

darkhanamaru

03-11-2009, 12:26 PM

Not as far as we know. There's been reports of violence on various estates in parts of Northern Ireland as apparently some old woulds have been reopened. What's worse is we're only a month or so before the marching season starts and that could mean a very long nasty summer if that blows things up.

ick. marching season. ick. combine that with a crashed ireland economy. ick.

what is the difference between ireland and iceland? an r and six months.

king mob

03-11-2009, 12:38 PM

ick. marching season. ick. combine that with a crashed ireland economy. ick.

what is the difference between ireland and iceland? an r and six months.

The only thing that saved Ireland going the way of Iceland was their membership of the Euro.

Northern Ireland has a weak pound which might attract companies to that part of the UK, but if there's a risk of The Troubles kicking off again then companies are more likely going to Scotland, Wales or the north of England to take advantage of areas of high unemployment.

Charles RB

03-11-2009, 06:59 PM

What's worse is we're only a month or so before the marching season starts

Oh FUCK, I forgot about the marchings. Oh buggeration.

Charles RB

03-11-2009, 07:31 PM

Thousands attend vigils & protests against the killings in Belfast, Lisburn, Newry, Downpatrick, Londonderry, and Craigavon (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7936332.stm) - further pictures here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7938203.stm).

And representatives for the Loyalist paramilitaries have told Sinn Fein they won't be taking reprisal actions (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7938488.stm) - good, because we know the sort of shit you twats view as justified retaliation.

Charles RB

03-12-2009, 06:34 AM

Roads closed around Ballykinler after discovery of an unidentified "object" at a bridge. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7939388.stm)

Police chiefs from North and Republic meet to discuss the dissident threat. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7938795.stm)

In the last:

The police commander in Londonderry has said dissident republicans are on a recruitment drive in the city.

Chief Inspector Chris Yates said: "These are dangerous groups, they are very much small in number, but they are very keen to increase their influence.

"The reality is they are out there in the communities, working, trying to recruit people, trying to pervert people, trying to turn people to their cause and that's very worrying."

He said the PSNI would be maintaining a high profile to prevent attacks.

Kal L

03-12-2009, 06:44 AM

Killing innnocent people is not the path to peace and these pricks know it. They just want to kill and cause destruction while using a "united Ireland" as an excuse.

Alan Lynch

03-12-2009, 06:49 AM

Marching season is a horrible time of year. Fucking horrible.

Gail Simone

03-12-2009, 07:49 AM

I don't know what 'marching season' is. What is it and why is it horrible, may I ask?

Gail Simone

03-12-2009, 08:22 AM

And any more tips you guys have would be greatly appreciated!

In particular, any ideas where to hear good Irish trad music in Limerick, Cork, or Dublin areas?

Any restaurants that are recommended?

thehod

03-12-2009, 08:25 AM

I don't know what 'marching season' is. What is it and why is it horrible, may I ask?

Marching season is where a number of parades take place across parts of Ireland.

From wikipedia...

Parading is a controversial issue in Northern Ireland. Many parades are seen as sectarian or otherwise offensive. In general debates centre on the route of particular parades; people from one community often object to 'the other side's' parades passing through or by 'their' area, for example Orange Order parades marching down Catholic-dominated streets. A few parades are seen as objectionable regardless of route. These are generally those which involve or commemorate paramilitary groups such as the Provisional Irish Republican Army and Ulster Freedom Fighters, and otherwise non-controversial parades have sometimes caused conflict because of a band or lodge carrying a banner or flag associated with a paramilitary group.

Charles RB

03-12-2009, 09:18 AM

Marching season is where a number of parades take place across parts of Ireland.

Also parts of Scotland.

Charles RB

03-12-2009, 09:18 AM

Double-post.

Weetomuncher

03-12-2009, 09:42 AM

Marching season started as parades (held on and around 12th July) celebrating the victory of King William III, who was a Dutch king who became King of Britain after agreeing to take power alongside his wife Mary who made a claim to the British throne which was held by her uncle, King James. The main
reason for that James was deposed was his conversion to Catholism and support for France. Government recognised William and Mary as joint monarchs but only after the majority of royal power was passed to parliament and the current constitutional monarchy was created.

These events were known as 'The Glorious Revolution' and happened in 1689 and were followed by the Williamite victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 and further successes in the year or so following.

This lead to British control of Ireland and the restoration of Protestant monarchy and weakening of French and Spanish power.

An often ignored point is that William and the Pope of the time were on good terms and the Pope welcomed William's victory over the unpopular James.

FemGeek

03-12-2009, 10:31 AM

I don't know what 'marching season' is. What is it and why is it horrible, may I ask?

It's basically just the time of year when (mainly) Protestants have some marches to commemorate the Battle of the boyne and such. The main problem is that they tend to have their parade route down Catholic areas, which naturally ticks some people off, which I thinik is understandable. That said, theres gonna be yobs starting trouble no matter where the marches go.

And any more tips you guys have would be greatly appreciated!

In particular, any ideas where to hear good Irish trad music in Limerick, Cork, or Dublin areas?

Any restaurants that are recommended?

The best trad music will be found in little pubs to the West, big huge loud trad music, with numerous fiddles appearing form nowhere and much much stomping and ocasionally someone playing the spoons. But keep your eyes peeled for leaflets and posters around the cities and on the windows of bars for trad-nights in local bars. In cork there is a trad night in the Cruiscin Lán on sunday nights, as does a bar called Sin É. Both are city centre.

As for restarants, the Captain Americas in Dublin is real nice. Good atmosphere and nice food, thats usually where I goes in Dublin (the captain americas in cork is not so good). For good Irish seafood (if you like seafood) you can't beat the West. Find a nice little restaurant by the coast and they've always got something great, and fresh. In Cork, I think the nicest places are Amicus, Bully's, and Luigi Malones. Theyre all city centre too, so finding them wont be hard. Also, Cork shops usually have a free leaflet thingy about restaurants and bars and the like. Hers the link to the website, then got one for limerick too http://www.whazon.com/
And for general advice, bring something water-proof. Even if the weather appears nice, it's only trying to trick you. It wants you to feel safe and then drenches you.

king mob

03-12-2009, 12:44 PM

Also parts of Scotland.

I got beaten up in the mid 80's for trying to cut through an Orange Walk and cross the road. This was because I was 'disrespecting' the walk by doing the heinous crime of trying to get home from fucking work.

Charles RB

03-12-2009, 01:56 PM

I find it hard not to disrespect the march after that time a few years back when there was a riot for several nights after the march not being allowed down a Catholic street.

Cam63

03-12-2009, 06:26 PM

I got beaten up in the mid 80's for trying to cut through an Orange Walk and cross the road. This was because I was 'disrespecting' the walk by doing the heinous crime of trying to get home from fucking work.

That's what fucknuts do I'm sorry to say, Mob.

king mob

03-13-2009, 01:21 AM

That's what fucknuts do I'm sorry to say, Mob.

I know, growing up in Glasgow educates you in the ways of the religious nutter.

king mob

03-14-2009, 06:44 AM

Some arrests in last weeks attack have been made.

Three men have been arrested over the Real IRA gun attack which killed two soldiers outside Massereene barracks in Northern Ireland last week.

Police are questioning the men aged 41, 32 and 21 who were arrested in the Lurgan area of Co Armagh and in Bellaghy, Co Londonderry.

Soldiers, Patrick Azimkar, 21, and Mark Quinsey, 23, were ambushed as they took a pizza delivery outside the base hours before flying off to Afghanistan.

Two other soldiers were injured and two pizza delivery men were also wounded.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5907155.ece

K-DoG7p7

03-14-2009, 04:05 PM

http://www.vg.no/uploaded/image/bilderigg/2009/03/14/1237058726819_490.jpg

Ahh Northern Ireland.. how nostalgic..

king mob

03-15-2009, 05:38 AM

A ex-IRA prisoner has been been arrested.

Colin Duffy, a prominent republican and former IRA prisoner, is one of three men being questioned over the murder of two British soldiers in Northern Ireland.

Police arrested Duffy, 41, yesterday at his home on a private housing estate in Lurgan, Co Armagh. During the arrest-and-search operation, police cars and jeeps were attacked by youths hurling bricks, bottles and stones. The other two men were arrested in the Bellaghy area of south Derry yesterday morning, a PSNI spokeswoman confirmed. Police also arrested a 30-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man last night in the Craigavon area in connection with the murder of constable Stephen Carroll.

Three men, including a 17-year-old and a former Sinn Féin councillor, were already in custody in connection with the murder of Carroll in Craigavon.

Security remains tight throughout Northern Ireland and particularly around Greater Belfast this weekend, as the PSNI seeks to foil a feared Real IRA bomb plot. Last week security sources warned that the Real IRA had smuggled an explosive device into Northern Ireland from the Republic. Mobile checkpoints manned by armed police officers have been set up on several major arterial routes into the city.

Politicians at the Northern Ireland assembly also received advice this weekend to step up their personal security. Around a dozen assembly members were told to be vigilant and try to vary their routines after fears that dissident republicans might turn to political targets.

In an interview with the Observer today, the father figure of hardline republicanism, Ruairi O'Brádaigh, gives a chilling warning that Catholics who join the police in the province or pass on information about the latest terrorist upsurge are guilty of treachery and putting themselves in "harm's way".

With Sinn Féin encouraging its support base to co-operate in the two murder investigations, the president of the rival Republican Sinn Féin has urged Northern Ireland's nationalists not to work for the security forces.

O'Bradáigh said: "I think that's a very unwise thing to urge people to do because that's obviously going to put them in harm's way, which is a very grave responsibility to undertake. My advice would be 'Don't join up' and I think it's wrong to encourage young people to join the British forces." Writing in the News of the World he said the only support for the groups came from "a few nutters and idiots".

Although not involved with any of the armed dissident groups, those opposed to Sinn Féin's peace strategy, especially those in the Continuity IRA, look to O'Bradáigh for ideological guidance. He also advised nationalists not to co-operate in any way with the police .

"The record stands. People were shot dead for doing that [informing] and, just as I would say the Provos should not be calling on people to join the British forces, I would also say they should not call on people to give information to the British occupation regime in Ireland.

"Because that is treachery and they [the Provos] are the very ones who called it treachery and carried out certain consequences for those unfortunates that informed. It's still wrong to inform and give information about those who are resisting British occupation. It is still betrayal. It is still treachery," he said.

PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde said today that there were around 300 dissident terrorists trying to wreck the peace process. He said the number was small in a population of 1.75m but described them as "very dangerous, like any cornered animal in its death throes". Orde said in the last 18 months dissident republicans had tried on at least 25 occasions to kill officers on and off duty. Writing in the News of the World, Orde said the only support for violent dissidents came from "a few nutters and idiots". "We have identified many of them," he wrote. "We are working flat out with the security services and other specialists to disrupt and arrest them and lock them up for the rest of their natural lives."

Cengiz Azimkar and Mark Quinsey, the soldiers killed last weekend will be buried this week. Today, an ecumenical prayer service was held at the entrance to the barracks where they were first wounded then shot on the ground by Real IRA gunmen.

Tensions also remained high in Craigavon, Co Armagh, close to the spot were PSNI officer Carroll was shot dead last Monday night. Supporters of the dissidents vandalised a makeshift floral shrine to the murdered police officer. It had been laid on the ground where he fell after being struck by a single bullet.

Northern Ireland's political leaders who united last week against the dissident republican campaign, will receive the support of Barack Obama this week. The US president will host a St Patrick's Day celebration in the White House for first minister Peter Robinson, deputy first minister Martin McGuinness and the leaders of the five main parties at Stormont. Robinson and McGuinness will invite the president to make a flying visit to Belfast during this trip to the UK for next month's G20 summit.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/15/colin-duffy-arrest-soldiers-murders

Gail Simone

03-15-2009, 09:50 PM

To those in the know, how long does it take to get from Dublin to England by ferry?

Cam63

03-15-2009, 09:55 PM

http://www.vg.no/uploaded/image/bilderigg/2009/03/14/1237058726819_490.jpg

Ahh Northern Ireland.. how nostalgic..

They're nicer when they're Riverdancing.

Cam63

03-15-2009, 09:59 PM

To those in the know, how long does it take to get from Dublin to England by ferry?

Pretty long by Bryan Ferry.

Cam63

03-15-2009, 10:04 PM

I just googled it, Sim'.

Where in England are you heading ?

...The times differ somewhat.

Cam63

03-15-2009, 10:15 PM

http://www.directferries.co.uk/dublin_ferry.htm

Give that a whirl.

thehod

03-15-2009, 11:21 PM

To those in the know, how long does it take to get from Dublin to England by ferry?

Just a couple of hours actually. It can be a bit of a drive from Holyhead to anywhere that looks remotely like civilisation (you are in Wales after all).

Let me guess, you're going to meet up with Iz and Stace and do a Gail Simone interview with the Comic Racks?

Gail Simone

03-16-2009, 12:07 AM

Ah, I'd love to.

But I hadn't realized it would entail another car. I was hoping the ferry would take us somewhere that would make a fun base camp for a day.

king mob

03-16-2009, 01:10 AM

Just a couple of hours actually. It can be a bit of a drive from Holyhead to anywhere that looks remotely like civilisation (you are in Wales after all).

Might also be an idea not to call Holyhead 'England' when you get off the ferry. They're a wee bit sensitive about things like that in Wales.

Stacebob

03-16-2009, 03:33 AM

Just a couple of hours actually. It can be a bit of a drive from Holyhead to anywhere that looks remotely like civilisation (you are in Wales after all).

Let me guess, you're going to meet up with Iz and Stace and do a Gail Simone interview with the Comic Racks?
Ha, we wished! I think if that were the case I wouldn't have shut up about it :P

Gail Simone

03-16-2009, 08:01 AM

If I were there, I would definitely do one!

Everyone should listen to the comic racks podcast. It's a riot.

http://comicracks.libsyn.com/

Gail Simone

03-16-2009, 08:02 AM

Might also be an idea not to call Holyhead 'England' when you get off the ferry. They're a wee bit sensitive about things like that in Wales.

Well, I didn't know where the ferry drops you off.

Have you taken the ferry from Dublin?

Like I said, we were hoping to be dropped off somewhere that would make a nice base camp for a day trip, but it doesn't sound like that's doable.

thehod

03-16-2009, 08:23 AM

Well, I didn't know where the ferry drops you off.

Have you taken the ferry from Dublin?

Like I said, we were hoping to be dropped off somewhere that would make a nice base camp for a day trip, but it doesn't sound like that's doable.

I believe you can go from Belfast to Liverpool. That does mean driving from Dublin to Belfast though, which is a bit of a drive.

The other option, of course, is to fly. You can fly from Dublin to Birmingham in just over an hour. Its a little more pricey. But then, as a comic writer of international renown you are, of course, rolling in it.

K-DoG7p7

03-16-2009, 08:28 AM

I believe you can go from Belfast to Liverpool. That does mean driving from Dublin to Belfast though, which is a bit of a drive.

The other option, of course, is to fly. You can fly from Dublin to Birmingham in just over an hour. Its a little more pricey. But then, as a comic writer of international renown you are, of course, rolling in it.

According to GoogleMaps there are 2 ferrys between Dublin and Liverpool..

Ohh and Gail, while your inn the area.. take a trip to Isle of Man, rent a Motorcycle and take part in the Isle of Man TT :P

thehod

03-16-2009, 08:32 AM

According to GoogleMaps there are 2 ferrys between Dublin and Liverpool..

The only ferries I've found that do that trip take about 8 hours.

Rather defeats the object that.

K-DoG7p7

03-16-2009, 08:42 AM

but how can Belfast to liverpool be faster?

thehod

03-16-2009, 08:47 AM

but how can Belfast to liverpool be faster?

It isn't. The main UK point of call from Belfast is Liverpool. Ferries do travel from Dublin to Liverpool, but most of them go to Holyhead because its closer.

Travelling from Dublin to Belfast to Liverpool isn't much of a choice either, to be honest.

Stacebob

03-16-2009, 08:50 AM

If I were there, I would definitely do one!

Everyone should listen to the comic racks podcast. It's a riot.

http://comicracks.libsyn.com/

Well, you're welcome in Birmingham anytime :P And do stop making my head swell like this; I won't be able to fit through the door to get home from work tonight if you're not careful!

Crowforge

03-16-2009, 08:55 AM

Oh well I never wanted to o to ireland anyway, it's bad enough here with st patrick's day, add some terrorism...

king mob

03-16-2009, 12:27 PM

Well, I didn't know where the ferry drops you off.

Have you taken the ferry from Dublin?

No, because if it's a P & O ferry then it'll be horrible & I refuse to give them money after a bad experience going to Calais some years back. Flying from Dublin is a better idea but don't fly Ryanair as they're shite.

king mob

03-16-2009, 12:29 PM

Oh well I never wanted to o to ireland anyway, it's bad enough here with st patrick's day, add some terrorism...

Both the Republic & Northern Ireland are good places, but you shouldn't let recent events put you off both countries. St. Patricks Day though is a horrible plastic marketing monstrosity and deserves all the hate you can spare.

thehod

03-16-2009, 01:13 PM

Both the Republic & Northern Ireland are good places, but you shouldn't let recent events put you off both countries. St. Patricks Day though is a horrible plastic marketing monstrosity and deserves all the hate you can spare.

There were 80,000 people at yesterday's Paddy's Day Parade in Brum, and I'm betting not more than a fifth of them were Irish.

They'd all have some element of their ancestry traced back to Ireland though, through a second cousins husbands best mates dog, so I've got just as much right to be here as Declan O'Malley and mines a pint of Guinness if you're buying. Can't stand the stuff usually, but you've got to drink it on Paddy's Day haven't you?

Weetomuncher

03-16-2009, 04:25 PM

I was thinking that I'd have to go to an O'Brien's Sandwich Bar for one of those little Shambo (shamrock shaped) sandwiches that are normally only available around March but I just remembered that they became part of the main menu about 2 years ago so I can get one anytime!

They are filled with ham and have a special Guinness and mustard relish inside.

Karl O'Neill

03-16-2009, 04:43 PM

My nan from birmingham (spellcheck) comes over to us in dublin four times a year. she gets the boat from hollyhead, very cheap she says.

king mob

03-17-2009, 01:09 AM

There were 80,000 people at yesterday's Paddy's Day Parade in Brum, and I'm betting not more than a fifth of them were Irish.

They'd all have some element of their ancestry traced back to Ireland though, through a second cousins husbands best mates dog, so I've got just as much right to be here as Declan O'Malley and mines a pint of Guinness if you're buying. Can't stand the stuff usually, but you've got to drink it on Paddy's Day haven't you?

I drink Guiness normally and St' Paddys Day is horrendous as every plastic Irishman ecides to have a half of Guinness and loudly proclaim 'that it's not as good as the stuff in Dublin', when in reality the nearest they've been to Dublin is their local O'Neills.

thehod

03-17-2009, 01:28 AM

I drink Guiness normally and St' Paddys Day is horrendous as every plastic Irishman ecides to have a half of Guinness and loudly proclaim 'that it's not as good as the stuff in Dublin', when in reality the nearest they've been to Dublin is their local O'Neills.

To be fair, some of it isn't as good as the stuff in Dublin, especially the pints I had in the Guinness factory and Dublin Airport.

Tobias March

03-17-2009, 01:48 AM

To be fair, some of it isn't as good as the stuff in Dublin, especially the pints I had in the Guinness factory and Dublin Airport.

Yes. Because it goes mouldy outside of Ireland due to not being drunk as much. I hear there's good Guinness in London though....sure they brew it in England now anyhow. Best pint of stout I've ever hand? Crammond village outside of Edinburgh

No, because if it's a P & O ferry then it'll be horrible & I refuse to give them money after a bad experience going to Calais some years back. Flying from Dublin is a better idea but don't fly Ryanair as they're shite.

He speaks the truth. Ryanair are teh suck.

Weetomuncher

03-17-2009, 07:39 AM

Ryanair recently said that they were going to charge passengers £1 to go to the toilet.

They must be taking the piss surely.

Gail Simone

03-17-2009, 08:36 AM

They said later that that was a joke, but people in the know are not so sure.

king mob

03-17-2009, 12:15 PM

To be fair, some of it isn't as good as the stuff in Dublin, especially the pints I had in the Guinness factory and Dublin Airport.

It's not because Guinness in the UK is brewed in North London, hence why it tastes a bit different. It's not as nice as Dragon Stout but sadly I've not found anywhere that does it in draught form.

Charles RB

03-21-2009, 07:04 PM

every plastic Irishman ecides to have a half of Guinness and loudly proclaim 'that it's not as good as the stuff in Dublin'

I tasted the Guinness in Dublin. It tasted shit.

Tasted shit in England too, come to think of it...

Tobias March

03-21-2009, 07:10 PM

I tasted the Guinness in Dublin. It tasted shit.

Tasted shit in England too, come to think of it...

Ooo you meany.

I had an oatmeal stout in Sydney's Red Oak bar on Wednesday. Twas good.

Feck my gf just put U2's new album on....I'm surrounded by Plastic Irish! ARG!

Charles RB

03-21-2009, 07:56 PM

Feck my gf just put U2's new album on....I'm surrounded by Plastic Irish! ARG!

Quick, respond with plastic Australianess!

Crowforge

03-21-2009, 08:01 PM

You know for people that don't drink there doesn't seem to be much there.

king mob

03-22-2009, 05:32 AM

Ooo you meany.

I had an oatmeal stout in Sydney's Red Oak bar on Wednesday. Twas good.

Feck my gf just put U2's new album on....I'm surrounded by Plastic Irish! ARG!

Why the fuck are you allowing U2 album's in your house? Stop making Bono rich!

Charles RB

03-22-2009, 05:45 AM

Don't panic, they could be stolen or pirated!

king mob

03-22-2009, 06:07 AM

Don't panic, they could be stolen or pirated!

That would serve the bastards right, bunch of tax dodging (http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2009/03/u2_under_fire_over_amsterdam_t.php)wankers.

Crowforge

03-22-2009, 07:11 AM

I'd ignore irish taxes too, what are they going to do... Oh right they'll blow me up, the checks in the mail.

Gail Simone

03-22-2009, 07:38 AM

do they let tourists blow up U2?

Weetomuncher

03-22-2009, 07:43 AM

If the terrorists would blow up U2, Graham Norton and Jimmy Cricket instead of innocent people then maybe there wouldn't be the same problems in Ireland.

Cam63

03-22-2009, 07:52 AM

do they let tourists blow up U2?

I dunno if they ever had groupies.

Cam63

03-22-2009, 07:56 AM

Ooo you meany.

I had an oatmeal stout in Sydney's Red Oak bar on Wednesday. Twas good.

Feck my gf just put U2's new album on....I'm surrounded by Plastic Irish! ARG!

Ah, jus' play some pogues at ear bleed volume, drink enuff tar water ter put an elephant under der table, smack yerself in ter face wif a brick shithouse an' have a good loy down.

Cam63

03-22-2009, 07:57 AM

...an' tiddlety portayta !