Northern Ireland troubles?

hammsb · Veteran Member

Northern Ireland troubles?

Michele Erdvig · Host

hammsb,

The incident is an abberation. Ireland and No. Ireland have very low crime and murder rates compared to the US. Tourists have never been the targets of the problems in No. Ireland. I traveled all over No. Ireland at the height of the troubles and am still alive and without a scratch. As long as you are not a British soldier stationed in No. Ireland you should be very safe. Don't change your plans!

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

Michele; the situation just now is very volatile indeed.

In case you have not seen this; a police officer was shot y'day. We were in Buncrana, near the Border, when the news came out, and it is hitting hard.

All it took was 30 seconds; and in a busy area. A teenager.

We certainly will not be crossing to Northern Ireland until this has settled some; it is looking like a new episode of organised violence here now.

That is our decision, and we live here.

It is not to be brushed aside as an aberration. This is hostility to the fragile peace process.

Which could easily escalate. As has happened before.

We know how vital tourism is. But...

Michele Erdvig · Host

Anchoress,

Thank you for the up to date info. I had not heard about the police officer yesterday. Sounds like some parties are trying to ramp up the tensions and try to disrupt the peace process.

Well, I have a self-catering cottage reservation in No. Ireland this spring and am not changing my plans.

We would appreciate any news you have.

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

See this just out..

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/eyaucwcwmhsn/

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/eyaucwcwcwey/

The iol site is the one I keep an eye on..

We hear of course much more news that you do there and although it is "lower key" than years past, the killings and assaults and pipe bombs etc are frequent.

Always a tinder box ready to explode, and just now tempers are running high with the recession and unemployment.

Always a decision and choice each must make of course; we wear the full monastic habit so tend to be careful where sectarian things are going on.

But there was so much tension yesterday in Buncrana..so much grief that these murders are happening again.

Stay safe! I did our monthly shop in Strabane y'day so we will be staying in the South for several weeks now.

Plenty to see in Donegal anyways if you decide to save the orth fro quieter times.

Although there is a big rally set for Donegal Town on Saturday...

http://oceanfm.ie/news/2009/03/10/jobs-protest-set-for-donegal-town/

That too is a useful local site.

Blessings this day

Michele Erdvig · Host

Anchoress,

Thanks for the links. I agree that everyone should always be careful. I try to keep my wits about me even going to the grocery store although I live in a very safe area.

We have our own problems here in the US. With such a large popluation there is always some violence going on. Even more so than in No. Ireland at the moment: http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=7052272&page=1

Unfortunately there are always crazies and discontents in any population. Of course, the troubles in No. Ireland are of a different nature. And tensions do rachet up heading toward marching time.

I believe that during all the decades of "the troubles" no tourist has ever been injured or killed. If that is of any comfort to them. If anyone knows otherwise, I would like to hear about it.

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

Michele; as you know the two countries are very diferent.

The tensions and history are different; you cannot compare the two.

Killings and bombs and beatings eg kneecappings are a daily occurrence here still

And yes, we have lost friends, tourists, in terrorist attacks, here in Ireland.

It is all too easy to stray into a bad area here. Because it is so small and trouble can erupt.

The police are not efficient here; this article points out that ten years on, no-one has been convicted over Omagh

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/eyaucwmhcwmh/

And there is abundance in the South; this is a tense time and Easter even more so.

Always; your choice. But we will stay away the while.

Best safe; and best not worried either. Holidays are to enjoy.

It is yet to be seen if this will escalate further. It could well do so now.

Anchoress,
Thanks for the links. I agree that everyone should always be careful. I try to keep my wits about me even going to the grocery store although I live in a very safe area.
We have our own problems here in the US. With such a large popluation there is always some violence going on. Even more so than in No. Ireland at the moment: http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=7052272&page=1

Unfortunately there are always crazies and discontents in any population. Of course, the troubles in No. Ireland are of a different nature. And tensions do rachet up heading toward marching time.

I believe that during all the decades of "the troubles" no tourist has ever been injured or killed. If that is of any comfort to them. If anyone knows otherwise, I would like to hear about it.

Michele

hammsb · Veteran Member

Thanks for the advice. I believe that we will continue with our plans to travel in the North. I believe that the Irish people want this peace to continue and I pray for that peace and for peace all over the world. We will be in both the North and South during the weeks after Easter and are looking so forward to a great time and we have "no worries". Peace - pass it on.

Anchoress · Guru

We, and all the Irish people have always wanted peace. But there remain dangerous factions who will as now act with violence and with no respect for human life.

There is a spate of bomb scares and arms cache findings also now; they are getting the 'attention" they seek and will continue to disrupt regardless of our wishes and needs.

Not men of God either; set against His Will.

These are dangerous fanatics.

They enjoy the mayhem they are causing and laugh at the peace demos.

Make no mistake on that score.

These are things happening now that have not been seen for years; this is why we are taking precautions and avoiding the North. Until things ease and the trend and pattern of this emerges.

Easter also brings many anniversaries that are deeply dangerous here.

You would do well to be concerned. We are.

Anchoress · Guru

Michele; incidentally, many of those killed in Omagh were foreign tourists.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Anchoress,

Thank you. I stand corrected. Perhaps I had just heard the tourist board hype. This website shows those killed in the Omagh bombings: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/omagh/dead.html Two were from Spain. It is sad to look at their photos, especially the children.

As hammsb says lets hope for the best and that the peace process continues despite those that want to derail it.

This is what Sky News had to say:

Sky News correspondent Ian Woods said: "We should emphasise that there are very small numbers involved. There's nothing like the scale of activity that we saw when the Provos were at their height.

"This is a very, very small group and its all about being disruptive and embarrassing Sinn Fein and putting pressure on the political leaders."

We live in a troubled world. There was some sort of a bomb scare here in the Atlanta metro area where I live yesterday at the Air Force Base.

And so it goes...

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

Michele; Sky does not know whereof it speaks. Ireland is a tiny country which makes any terrorist act more intense.

Comparisons with a large place like the US are not valid.

Takes just a few to cause total mayhem.

As well as the three killed, four are still dangerously ill in hospital, two of those civilians who were simply delivering pizza.

To us, this has had the air of a planned campaign; and this statement just out makes this very clear

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/eyaucwgbgbsn/

It is heartbreaking to see this.

But with Easter so close, it is a volatile situation indeed.
A new phase to it all.

Our advice is to stay away from the North this year. As we say in the Order; you are no use dead.

PS make sure your travel insurance covers all contingencies also; many do not in this kind of situation.

And sure, the South is so very lovely and so much to see that this really is not a big deal, is it? All the more time for Donegal!!!

Blessings this day

-- Edited by Anchoress on Saturday 14th of March 2009 01:38:14 AM

-- Edited by Anchoress on Saturday 14th of March 2009 01:51:15 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Anchoress,

Thanks for the update and for keeping us informed.

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

See this which explains all very clearly.

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/eyaucwqlsnkf/

A terrible sense of deja vu.

Dear Lord, have mercy.

rebeccaf · Veteran Member

I don't have the knowledge, experience or intuition to comment on the recent news, but I thought this op-ed from this morning's NY Times is well-written and speaks to what we all believe -- that good people everywhere simply want to live together in peace, regardless of our differences.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/opinion/16park.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rebecca,

Thank you for sharing that excellent article. Very well done.

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

Beautiful and thoughtful, but the same has been written so many times that it makes little sense or impact now.

Seen from the outside; when the inside is different.

The future remains to be seen, simply; what is happening that this writer does not take into account is that there are new splits within the dissident groups.

As the older ones move towards peace, the younger ones rebel and accuse them of treachery to "the cause", as they have done for many generations.

This is a part of the Irish temperament that is not understood overseas. The sheer tenacity and race-anger against invaders. It has become almost a genetic thing.

And this kind of split is how the earlier republican groups were formed.

The only "positive" thing just now is that at least this is political and not religious any more.

But still care is needed this next while. Great care.

Because now the drugs scene here is worse than the drink scene.

The tension is high just now also. We saw this in Town at the weekend ; even here a markedly higher police presence.

No time for complacency or theorising yet. Far from it. Or of glossing over the terrible reality.

Come to Donegal instead!!!!

Blessings this day....