When it happens, what will we be able to do?

Reiver

Recent events in Texas and discussion on another thread got me wondering about Ireland's situation. How prepared are we as a country for a coup d'etat or a police action akin to Operation Just Cause or Grenada to topple our government and seize control? We are already considered the "bad boy" of Europe, having been a nightmare in the Euro crisis, voting no to treaties and generally being at odds with the wider European community. How long until we are "brought into line" by the EU? And what could we even hope to do about it?

We have less than 10,000 professional soldiers with usually the best-equipped and trained units deployed abroad with the UN. Similarly our Naval Service is scattered with our flagship currently assigned to the Mediterranean. Our reserves are a mixed bag of gun nuts and lads in it for the cheap drink. The Gardai are mostly unarmed and unexperienced with handling firearms.

Were such an operation to be mounted, striking at the Curragh, Haulbowline and Baldonnell would have the majority of our striking power neutralised. A division or two of mechanised infantry with armour support could easily crush our dispersed brigades. Any conventional war is a forgone conclusion. Bear in mind that we do not have control of our airspace and already allow military flights through the country, any of which could easily disgorge a couple of battalions of hardened infantry with ease. We also share a land border with a regional power that could provide access for heavier units.

The initial part isn't that hard to imagine, we've seen it in Grenada, Panama, the Falklands, Aden, Malaya, it's what happens after that will scare us.

What I'm curious is about the aftermath, placing the country under martial law and establishing control. How could we maintain resistance considering we primarily are an unarmed population, trusting to our government to protect us. Would such an occupation be accepted or would civil disobedience and struggle become widespread?

The nightmare scenario sees our security forces operate as quislings and pathfinders for the main occupation force but even in the best-case scenario, I believe things would be grim for the people of Ireland.

Our rugged and wild landscape gives ample locations for the siting of internment camps and we operate a strategic location that could become important for EU/NATO control of the Atlantic. It's the people that could be the issue.

Falthyron

No.

Bubbaclaus

Lay off the drugs for a while and get some fresh air

Señor Fancy Pants

What's your question again?

Brb *pops all the out of date issued iodine pills*

drdidlittle

Forget it......the Isle Of Man wont invade

kneemos

Get the Brits to save us again.

Reiver

Bubbaclaus wrote: »

Lay off the drugs for a while and get some fresh air

Maybe it's you who should open your eyes. My mind is open.

Señor Fancy Pants

Reiver wrote: »

Maybe it's you who should open your eyes. My mind is open.

To what exactly?

Reiver

kneemos wrote: »

Get the Brits to save us again.

Again?

Yellowblackbird

Calls to mind actions such as Operation Increase Your Medication

Yellowblackbird

In any given situation I favour underground bunkers to unfortified disused civilian buildings, convenience shop or otherwise.

222233

Whats going to happen us?

Reiver

Truffle Pig wrote: »

To what exactly?

Our government is corrupt and already obeys the orders of foreign officials. When the IMF came to Ireland Enda Kenny was like a proud schoolboy showing off his project to their tyrantess. There's nothing too outlandish about this. Irish water protests have probably already led them to believe us a hotbed of dissent.

Señor Fancy Pants

Yellowblackbird wrote: »

In any given situation I favour underground bunkers to unfortified disused civilian buildings, convenience shop or otherwise.

A small tent is where it's at, nobody suspects you will be in a tent.

VinLieger

Did the conspiracy theory forum shut down or something? and they all migrated here?

Don't Chute!

What a load of utter bollocks.

Reiver

Yellowblackbird wrote: »

In any given situation I favour underground bunkers to unfortified disused civilian buildings, convenience shop or otherwise.

We're a little short on those. There are some in old British forts around the country but I imagine they'll be reoccupied.

On top of that, they're already far too close to population centres or areas of operational concern. Hence why they were built there.

222233

I have always wondered if it is true that there is a new or still existing IRA perhaps they would defend the country?

Reiver

222233 wrote: »

Whats going to happen us?

That's up to you champ. Decide your place in the NWO.

There are arms dumps about the country but to be honest, who's going to be brave/stupid enough to play hit and run with a 21st century military?

ceadaoin.

Nothing. Just have a cup of tea and wait for it all to blow over. Be grand

Reiver

Truffle Pig wrote: »

A small tent is where it's at, nobody suspects you will be in a tent.

Where do you put the tent? You want clean, running water. You want food. You want shelter and concealment.

Carrauntoohill might be nice and isolated but you'll go a bit mad eating sheep and grass.

222233

Reiver wrote: »

That's up to you champ. Decide your place in the NWO.

There are arms dumps about the country but to be honest, who's going to be brave/stupid enough to play hit and run with a 21st century military?

Think if you drink enough alcohol nuclear weapons don't affect you. Also may burrow some sort of a tunnel into an under ground bunker of sorts.

The Diabolical Monocle

Reiver wrote: »

Recent events in Texas and discussion on another thread got me wondering about Ireland's situation. How prepared are we as a country for a coup d'etat or a police action akin to Operation Just Cause or Grenada to topple our government and seize control? We are already considered the "bad boy" of Europe, having been a nightmare in the Euro crisis, voting no to treaties and generally being at odds with the wider European community. How long until we are "brought into line" by the EU? And what could we even hope to do about it?

We have less than 10,000 professional soldiers with usually the best-equipped and trained units deployed abroad with the UN. Similarly our Naval Service is scattered with our flagship currently assigned to the Mediterranean. Our reserves are a mixed bag of gun nuts and lads in it for the cheap drink. The Gardai are mostly unarmed and unexperienced with handling firearms.

Were such an operation to be mounted, striking at the Curragh, Haulbowline and Baldonnell would have the majority of our striking power neutralised. A division or two of mechanised infantry with armour support could easily crush our dispersed brigades. Any conventional war is a forgone conclusion. Bear in mind that we do not have control of our airspace and already allow military flights through the country, any of which could easily disgorge a couple of battalions of hardened infantry with ease. We also share a land border with a regional power that could provide access for heavier units.

The initial part isn't that hard to imagine, we've seen it in Grenada, Panama, the Falklands, Aden, Malaya, it's what happens after that will scare us.

What I'm curious is about the aftermath, placing the country under martial law and establishing control. How could we maintain resistance considering we primarily are an unarmed population, trusting to our government to protect us. Would such an occupation be accepted or would civil disobedience and struggle become widespread?

The nightmare scenario sees our security forces operate as quislings and pathfinders for the main occupation force but even in the best-case scenario, I believe things would be grim for the people of Ireland.

Our rugged and wild landscape gives ample locations for the siting of internment camps and we operate a strategic location that could become important for EU/NATO control of the Atlantic. It's the people that could be the issue.

at this point you are under-prepared to lead an unconvinced public.

the right thing for you to do now is to train and prepare yourself for when it does happen.

you must take on field training and gain experience immediately, leave the web surfing to the hapless sheeple.

put the computer down and build that shelter.

Reiver

222233 wrote: »

Think if you drink enough alcohol nuclear weapons don't affect you. Also may burrow some sort of a tunnel into an under ground bunker of sorts.

Russians used vodka as a preventative but to be honest, let's be realistic here.

Nuclear weapons haven't been used in any conflict since the Second World War. They're not going to waste one on pacifying one little island.

Bunker is a good idea, I'd look into constructing something sturdy though, you know how the rain is.

For Forks Sake

222233 wrote: »

I have always wondered if it is true that there is a new or still existing IRA perhaps they would defend the country?

Not unless our invaders are in the diesel laundering or drug dealing businesses.

222233

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Not unless our invaders are in the diesel laundering or drug dealing businesses.

We are safe then, that probably includes every government

Reiver

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Not unless our invaders are in the diesel laundering or drug dealing businesses.

Well said. The ideals of the Tan War are gone.

222233

Reiver wrote: »

Russians used vodka as a preventative but to be honest, let's be realistic here.

Nuclear weapons haven't been used in any conflict since the Second World War. They're not going to waste one on pacifying one little island.

Bunker is a good idea, I'd look into constructing something sturdy though, you know how the rain is.

I do love a bit of rain, free shower and all that

Reiver

The Diabolical Monocle wrote: »

at this point you are under-prepared to lead an unconvinced public.

the right thing for you to do now is to train and prepare yourself for when it does happen.

you must take on field training and gain experience immediately, leave the web surfing to the hapless sheeple.

put the computer down and build that shelter.

I live abroad currently. When the **** hits the fan, I'll not be able to do a thing.

I do have my bug-out bag prepared though so when I can make a run for the border if Russian tanks move in.

Magico Gonzalez

You couldn't be further wrong with your premise that Ireland is the "bad boy" of Europe.

The rest of your post is just disaster fantasy nonsense.

Daft as brush.

222233

Reiver wrote: »

I live abroad currently. When the **** hits the fan, I'll not be able to do a thing.

I do have my bug-out bag prepared though so when I can make a run for the border if Russian tanks move in.

Whats in your bag may I ask?


This is a bit like the Bear Grylls episode on getting stranded in Donegal?

FreaksAndGeeks

They new age Irish people will never be able to band together to actually have all out protest/ resistance. Sure we'll miss Fair City with all the rioting and all that carry on.

Reiver

222233 wrote: »

I do love a bit of rain, free shower and all that

I'd have a look at some pictures from the Great War and urge you to reconsider. Nothing nice about trench foot and hypothermia. Knowing is half the battle. You're courting infection that way too.

maxwell smart

Reiver wrote: »

Recent events in Texas and discussion on another thread got me wondering about Ireland's situation. How prepared are we as a country for a coup d'etat or a police action akin to Operation Just Cause or Grenada to topple our government and seize control? We are already considered the "bad boy" of Europe, having been a nightmare in the Euro crisis, voting no to treaties and generally being at odds with the wider European community. How long until we are "brought into line" by the EU? And what could we even hope to do about it?

We have less than 10,000 professional soldiers with usually the best-equipped and trained units deployed abroad with the UN. Similarly our Naval Service is scattered with our flagship currently assigned to the Mediterranean. Our reserves are a mixed bag of gun nuts and lads in it for the cheap drink. The Gardai are mostly unarmed and unexperienced with handling firearms.

Were such an operation to be mounted, striking at the Curragh, Haulbowline and Baldonnell would have the majority of our striking power neutralised. A division or two of mechanised infantry with armour support could easily crush our dispersed brigades. Any conventional war is a forgone conclusion. Bear in mind that we do not have control of our airspace and already allow military flights through the country, any of which could easily disgorge a couple of battalions of hardened infantry with ease. We also share a land border with a regional power that could provide access for heavier units.

The initial part isn't that hard to imagine, we've seen it in Grenada, Panama, the Falklands, Aden, Malaya, it's what happens after that will scare us.

What I'm curious is about the aftermath, placing the country under martial law and establishing control. How could we maintain resistance considering we primarily are an unarmed population, trusting to our government to protect us. Would such an occupation be accepted or would civil disobedience and struggle become widespread?

The nightmare scenario sees our security forces operate as quislings and pathfinders for the main occupation force but even in the best-case scenario, I believe things would be grim for the people of Ireland.

Our rugged and wild landscape gives ample locations for the siting of internment camps and we operate a strategic location that could become important for EU/NATO control of the Atlantic. It's the people that could be the issue.

The real question is, would anyone even notice???? As for civil disobedience, we would probably be relying on Richard Boyd Barrett etc.

Maybe if we could fool the public into thinking these invaders (from North Korea no doubt) were actually part of Irish Water we might have a bit of a resistance??

galljga1

There is a disused Gala store in town. Rumour has it that it is being fitted out as a Chinese takeaway but obviously it is a secret base for the arriving Allied Chinese soldiers.

Falcon L

I, for one, welcome our new masters.

Reiver

222233 wrote: »

Whats in your bag may I ask?


This is a bit like the Bear Grylls episode on getting stranded in Donegal?

Got my hiking boots, layers (merino wool and synthetics).
My belay jacket.
Sleeping bag and bivvi bag.
Groundsheet.
Knife.
Compass.
Maps.
Canteens.
Canned food (lot of beans, some dogfood too. Got the idea off Mad Max).
Wet layers.
Thermal underwear.

Theres a lot of stuff but I don't want to bore you.

Señor Fancy Pants

Reiver wrote: »

Where do you put the tent? You want clean, running water. You want food. You want shelter and concealment.

Carrauntoohill might be nice and isolated but you'll go a bit mad eating sheep and grass.

Don't worry about me, il be grand.

This is like one of those really, really, really, really, REALLY shyte Discovery channel survival thing.

Reiver

FreaksAndGeeks wrote: »

They new age Irish people will never be able to band together to actually have all out protest/ resistance. Sure we'll miss Fair City with all the rioting and all that carry on.

Exactly. I think we'd fall into line fairly sharply. Not without some grumbling.

Señor Fancy Pants

Reiver wrote: »

Got my hiking boots, layers (merino wool and synthetics).
My belay jacket.
Sleeping bag and bivvi bag.
Groundsheet.
Knife.
Compass.
Maps.
Canteens.
Canned food (lot of beans, some dogfood too. Got the idea off Mad Max).
Wet layers.
Thermal underwear.

Theres a lot of stuff but I don't want to bore you.

That's all going to be taken off you by a bigger boy though.

222233

Reiver wrote: »

Got my hiking boots, layers (merino wool and synthetics).
My belay jacket.
Sleeping bag and bivvi bag.
Groundsheet.
Knife.
Compass.
Maps.
Canteens.
Canned food (lot of beans, some dogfood too. Got the idea off Mad Max).
Wet layers.
Thermal underwear.

Theres a lot of stuff but I don't want to bore you.

What do you use as a weapon if attacked by a wild animal?

cml387

In the event of World War III, or the zombie apocalypse, our government will step up to the plate and establish a tribunal.

Reiver

galljga1 wrote: »

There is a disused Gala store in town. Rumour has it that it is being fitted out as a Chinese takeaway but obviously it is a secret base for the arriving Allied Chinese soldiers.

I don't think it'd be as outlandish as the scenario you're envisaging. Troops deployed to Ireland are likely to be from the EU, most probably Italian, French, German. There'd probably be a permanent deployment with other battalions cycling in and out for four month tours.

Reiver

maxwell smart wrote: »

The real question is, would anyone even notice???? As for civil disobedience, we would probably be relying on Richard Boyd Barrett etc.

Maybe if we could fool the public into thinking these invaders (from North Korea no doubt) were actually part of Irish Water we might have a bit of a resistance??

True. Life would probably be bearable but practically living under a police state.

Reiver

Falcon L wrote: »

I, for one, welcome our new masters.

Got our first quisling. You'll probably be selected for advancement since you offer your services so swiftly.

Super-Rush

The fucking schools are off for the summer aren't they?

Reiver

Truffle Pig wrote: »

That's all going to be taken off you by a bigger boy though.

I can take care of myself.

I'll also be steering clear of roads and doing my best to avoid human contact while doing my E and E. The SAS managed it in Bravo Two Zero so I'll do my best to emulate their example.

I have zero intention of looking fro trouble.

Falcon L

Reiver wrote: »

Got our first quisling. You'll probably be selected for advancement since you offer your services so swiftly.

Can I be the new Dinny O'Brain?

Reiver

222233 wrote: »

What do you use as a weapon if attacked by a wild animal?

The areas I'll be travelling through are mostly devoid of anything more dangerous than a cow or dog.

Contrary to popular belief, most wild animals like wolves and bears will seek to avoid you, they're more scared of us than we are of them.

The Diabolical Monocle

nothing I could do would help anyway.

its easier and much more sensible to stay here w4nking and eating crackers than to spend my time preparing a shelter and supplies only to die while crossing a ravine 1 week into whatever disaster befalls us.

which really makes for the better grave stone when you think about it.

died in a futile effort to obtain a bag of dried oats - OR - finished watching his box set and spent his last moments on gigantic-asses.com

Reiver

cml387 wrote: »

In the event of World War III, or the zombie apocalypse, our government will step up to the plate and establish a tribunal.

Our government is part of the problem. There'll be jackboots on Sackville Street by the time they convene Leinster House.