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1/ It is always better to talk to, than about, someone.
But I have some reflections on this interview. It is not enough to say that the IRA campaign was justified. https://twitter.com/maryloumcdonald/status/1264539847504658433">https://twitter.com/maryloumc...
But I have some reflections on this interview. It is not enough to say that the IRA campaign was justified. https://twitter.com/maryloumcdonald/status/1264539847504658433">https://twitter.com/maryloumc...
2/ Joining the IRA was understandable for some, after their families were murdered by the UK state. As Mary-Lou says, I’m not sure what I’d do in response if my family gunned down by the British Army. & Northern Ireland wasn’t a proper democracy, & state discriminated v Catholics
3/
But most IRA actions were not justifiable. Attacking political and/or military targets is one thing, murdering innocent civilians is quite another.
Especially without a democratic mandate as the (old) IRA could claim in 1919. Hence Provisional IRA (Provos), as link tenuous
But most IRA actions were not justifiable. Attacking political and/or military targets is one thing, murdering innocent civilians is quite another.
Especially without a democratic mandate as the (old) IRA could claim in 1919. Hence Provisional IRA (Provos), as link tenuous
4/
And this is where it gets even more complicated. UK democracy was not working for Northern Ireland. Apart from Gerrymandering, even when Bobby Sands, an IRA prisoner who died on hunger strike in 1981, was elected an MP, the rules were suddenly changed to bar him from his seat
And this is where it gets even more complicated. UK democracy was not working for Northern Ireland. Apart from Gerrymandering, even when Bobby Sands, an IRA prisoner who died on hunger strike in 1981, was elected an MP, the rules were suddenly changed to bar him from his seat
5/
Even so, it became obvious within a decade or so, that democratic politics was the only way forward for the IRA via Sinn Féin. That culminated in the 1998 agreement, thank goodness. And the IRA to their credit signed up, unlike some loyalist terrorist groups *still* active.
Even so, it became obvious within a decade or so, that democratic politics was the only way forward for the IRA via Sinn Féin. That culminated in the 1998 agreement, thank goodness. And the IRA to their credit signed up, unlike some loyalist terrorist groups *still* active.
6/
But it remains a fundamental issue when the leader of Sinn Féin says that violence was justified, when guardians of this state were murdered by the PIRA, and when innocent civilians were killed “in our name”.
Basically does Sinn Féin believe in peaceful democracy or not?
But it remains a fundamental issue when the leader of Sinn Féin says that violence was justified, when guardians of this state were murdered by the PIRA, and when innocent civilians were killed “in our name”.
Basically does Sinn Féin believe in peaceful democracy or not?
7/
I don’t expect anyone from Sinn Féin to care what I think, but I have always admired SF for a consistently strong track record of caring for the poorest. Their socio-economic message matters. But it would be better if some nuance was allowed on the IRA debate, for everyone.
I don’t expect anyone from Sinn Féin to care what I think, but I have always admired SF for a consistently strong track record of caring for the poorest. Their socio-economic message matters. But it would be better if some nuance was allowed on the IRA debate, for everyone.
