Major (?) Developments: Dissident Republican Paramilitaries
Sorry for the hiatus. I've been busy the past couple of weeks writing, attending the annual ASA conference, chasing down books, designing a couple of syllabi, and other such mundane academic stuff. I thought I'd pause for a pint and catch up with three developments regarding the dissident republican paramilitaries in Northern Ireland.
1. It appears that the Real IRA (RIRA) has gone on the rampage in Newry and the surrounding area. Several British-owned businesses, and some others, were torched by incendiary bombs in Newry city, causing lots of damage. The RIRA also planted explosive devices along the Belfast-Dublin railway line. The bombs led to service disruptions and snarled traffic on the roadways. What's more, the RIRA also claimed resposibility for an unsuccessful bomb attack on the home of Lord Ballyedmond in the ROI. Ballyedmond, AKA Edward Haughey, is a Catholic, southern-educated, Ulster Unionist and wealthy industrialist.
2. The South Derry brigade of the Provisional IRA has decided to break away from the Provos and form their own unit to carry on the armed struggle. It seems the South Derry element is unhappy with the way the Provos have handled the peace/political process.
3. The Irish National Liberation Army put on a show of force, including a burst of sub-machine gun fire, during its hunger strike commemorations in Derry on Sunday.
We'll wait and see what transpires, but it appears that dissident republicans intend to stir up some trouble in anticipation of this fall's political wrangling.
Perhaps our man on the ground, Raymond, can fill in some details for us.
Guardian Article on RIRA/INLA
1. It appears that the Real IRA (RIRA) has gone on the rampage in Newry and the surrounding area. Several British-owned businesses, and some others, were torched by incendiary bombs in Newry city, causing lots of damage. The RIRA also planted explosive devices along the Belfast-Dublin railway line. The bombs led to service disruptions and snarled traffic on the roadways. What's more, the RIRA also claimed resposibility for an unsuccessful bomb attack on the home of Lord Ballyedmond in the ROI. Ballyedmond, AKA Edward Haughey, is a Catholic, southern-educated, Ulster Unionist and wealthy industrialist.
2. The South Derry brigade of the Provisional IRA has decided to break away from the Provos and form their own unit to carry on the armed struggle. It seems the South Derry element is unhappy with the way the Provos have handled the peace/political process.
3. The Irish National Liberation Army put on a show of force, including a burst of sub-machine gun fire, during its hunger strike commemorations in Derry on Sunday.
We'll wait and see what transpires, but it appears that dissident republicans intend to stir up some trouble in anticipation of this fall's political wrangling.
Perhaps our man on the ground, Raymond, can fill in some details for us.
posted by Jim at 6:07 PM
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