Real IRA is ready for 'long war'

[Oisín]

Real IRA is ready for 'long war'

The Real IRA have vowed to continue their armed campaign and say they are prepared for a "long war."

In the organisation’s New Year message, the leadership of the Real IRA said they would continue to target police and British military targets, as well as drug dealers.

“In the past 12 months Óglaigh na h’Éireann have continued to organise, developand consolidate,” the statement reads. “We have carried out a number of attacks against British state interests in Ireland and our volunteers have stood shoulder to shoulder with our communities against the scourge of drugs. Óglaigh na h’Éireann have taken direct action against a number of drug networks across the country and, in the coming year, we not allow our communities to face this menace alone.

“In the coming year Óglaigh na hÉireann will continue to resist the British occupation of Ireland by any and all means including the force of arms. However, all republican organisations must remain disciplined and no one should engage in attacks or threats that they cannot immediately defend or explain. For our part, Óglaigh na h’Éireann will stand behind any actions we take,” the leadership’s statement said.

The dissident group acknowledged it is facing a difficult task, insisting their campaign would last as long as necessary.

“Republicans must develop realistic short and medium term goals.

“2009 will not be the year of victory and another phase of the long war is yet to begin in earnest. Óglaigh na h’Éireann is facing a huge uphill struggle but we will face it full-on; make no mistake, we are here for the long haul.”

The Real IRA also slammed the Catholic Church’s criticism of their campaign. “We would advise the church to clean up their own back yard before commenting on others. They should take the plank out of their own eyes before worrying themselves about the splinters in others.

“It is perhaps a small mercy that the church is no longer a major player in forming opinions in Irish society,” it said.

[Link]

[Revenant]

Do the Real IRA have a position on multiculturalism?.

[Oisín]

Do the Real IRA have a position on multiculturalism?.

The Real IRA are a non-political army with only one objective, to force a British withdrawal from the 6 counties.

[chap]

In your view, who should control areas which are 75%+ Protestant?

[Oisín]

In your view, who should control areas which are 75%+ Protestant?

I already outlined my view in this thread. By joining a united Ireland Ulster Protestants would have TEN TIMES the political influence they currently have as citizens of the UK. They would be far better placed to look after their own interests and safeguard their values and culture in a united Ireland than they currently are as a shrinking and insignificant minority (1.6%) in the UK.
Anyway, to answer your question specifically, by control I presume you mean govern/police? IMO the same impartial, non-sectarian government that looks after areas that are 75%+ Catholic, this will only ever be possible in a free and united Ireland.

EDIT: It certainly shouldn't be the RUC/PSNI which has a long standing tradition of brutal sectarian murder and collusion with loyalist murderers and drug dealers.

[Beorn]

As Revenent hinted at, perhaps the IRA should concentrate primarily on the effects multiculturalism and fading loyalties to culture Ireland has and will continue to suffer before taking on the long road again.

[chap]

I already outlined my view in this thread. By joining a united Ireland Ulster Protestants would have TEN TIMES the political influence they currently have as citizens of the UK. They would be far better placed to look after their own interests and safeguard their values and culture in a united Ireland than they currently are as a shrinking and insignificant minority (1.6%) in the UK.
Anyway, to answer your question specifically, by control I presume you mean govern/police? IMO the same impartial, non-sectarian government that looks after areas that are 75%+ Catholic, this will only ever be possible in a free and united Ireland.

EDIT: It certainly shouldn't be the RUC/PSNI which has a long standing tradition of brutal sectarian murder and collusion with loyalist murderers and drug dealers.

Pride is an important emotion. Protestants would quickly seek to separate were Ireland one unified state. Who would deny them that right?

[Loyalist]

Even with the possibility of some sort of greater proportionate representation, few, if any, Protestants would support a united Ireland. No matter how one tries to spin it, that British connection is a fundamental element of Ulster Protestant identity. Imposing a nationality on one group, while simultaneously liberating another in the same state, is contradictory on the most basic of levels. Unification will only result in another tidal wave of violence, as it will be loyalists taking up arms in a fight closely paralleling the nationalist struggle in previous decades.

[Soldier of Wodann]

In your view, who should control areas which are 75%+ Protestant?

I would think it is time for the British Isles to get over petty things such as this. I am surprised the IRA still gives a shit about Catholicism Vs. Protestantism. The fact of the matter is, Ireland belongs to the Irish the same as England belongs to the English. Those who settled there and are protestant ought to be assimilated into Irish culture, irrespective of religion or descent, since the Irish are of largely the same culture and stock of those who colonized them.

I wouldn't think that, though, if the British in the area actually showed the strength of their forefathers in further expanding the realm of the Germanics. Their time has ended, the Irishman is now their moral and spiritual superior.

[Oisín]

As Revenent hinted at, perhaps the IRA should concentrate primarily on the effects multiculturalism and fading loyalties to culture Ireland has and will continue to suffer before taking on the long road again.

There are a few cultural Nationalist groups already doing that, the IRA, whether Provos, Contos or the Reals have only ever been about forcing a British withdrawal and they're not going to deviate from that.