Should we in Ireland be concerned about Jihad?

The island of Ireland is not immune to religious extremist attacks. They can happen anywhere, anytime and by any method.

If we are critically analysing it, the troubles can be classed as being religiously motivated/extremist terrorism. While broadly being about imperialist occupation, it is narrowly focused on sectarian Christianity, Catholic vs Protestant, similar to Sunni vs Shia.

Those who state Ireland is a potential target solely due to the logistic facilitation of US troops and equipment to the Middle East and Asia, are really just displaying anti-US rhetoric due to their focus on global hegemony and geopolitics.

In reality, there are a number of Irish owned and Irish based companies that directly and indirectly facilitate warfare and death on a greater level than the populist narrative of the logistic use of Shannon. We are not a priority because of Shannon, if we were, it would have happened at the peak of the global war on terrorism.

What stops us being a priority target of Islamic extremism from an organised group?

Nothing.

What mitigates against us being a priority target of Islamic extremism from an organised group?

1. Our global military presence is almost exclusively to promote peace and security. We are not engaged in combat operations or unlawful occupation of Muslim countries.

2. Ireland has historical and contemporary experience of imperial occupation. Something that gives us commonality among (former) colonised nations.

3. Our weak security is both a threat and an asset. We are susceptible to various types of asymmetric attacks. Yet, we do not unduly oppress people who reside here, minorities and extremists alike. Holding religious fundamentalist / extremist ideals are not guarantees of the intent of terrorism.

4. While Ireland has been described as a safe haven for "Jihadists", while plausible, see para 3.

5. While we are not a Muslim dominant country, Ireland in general is viewed as a religious country. While we are "unbelievers" in the extreme Islamic context, we (in general) do believe in a God, therefore "worthy" to an extent....as ridiculous as it seems.

6. Ireland has a reputation for supporting the "underdog", highlighted by support for the Palestinian territories vs Israel. That holds weight with the pan-Arab and Muslim communities.

Should we be afraid of "Jihad" directed at Ireland? no....with caveats.

It is unlikely that an organised Jihadist cell has the intent to randomly strike the Irish people, despite being the epitome of "western globalised values".

Caveats: (Islamic terrorist attacks)

1. Attacks can still occur in Ireland, targeteting other nations interests i.e. major tech companies, banks, embassy's and consulates, prominent celebrations.

2. The majority of low capability attacks in Europe have been opportunist and (hastily) disorganised. Using bladed weapons and vehicle rammings.

3. The majority have not been planned, directed, facilitated or conducted by an organised terrorist group. Yet have subsequently been claimed by same.

4. The majority of Islamic extremist attacks in Europe have been from radicalised individuals or recent Muslim converts with a variety of mental health issues.

It is unlikely to occur but if it does, it won't be because of "Jihad" or marauding terrorism like the Bataclan in Paris.....maaaaybe the Manchester Arena style, still its remote.

In this case that middle eastern Muslim should fk off back to the middle east and be angry at the west there, and not while living in the west.

The Northern Ireland situation is completely different and like comparing apples and oranges. The IRA/UVF were not fighting based on their different interpretations of Christianity but on a political issue of the state of N.I. Complete red herring in this conversation.

You must have been asleep missed the last couple of decades so, I suggest you Google what's happened in the M.E and come back to us when you have caught up.

A BBC journalist was asked why they digitized out the cartoon on the front page of the Charlie Hebdo when they were reporting the story.

They replied that they don't want to experience the same fate as the French journalists.

I'm sure journalists in Ireland feel the same way and are scared of it too. Freedom of expression has been taken away by the threat of jihad.

The biggest issue Christianity has relatively moved with the times ,many involved in Islam want the world to revert several centuries where Islam is the only option , which it never was in the first place ,

The EU needs to start looking at the failure of multicultural experiment and start limiting the numbers coming in ,but also look at removing protections for those who preach violence and jihad against the west or Europe in general and say sorry that **** won't be tolerated here ,if mosques are allowing extremist views or preaching they should be forced to close Until they can prove they aren't allowing extremist in

They were mostly professed Christians of various stripes. But very few said that Jesus made them do it. That's the essential point you seem to be missing.