The DUP refusing to let Sinn Fein have First Minister means a December Assembly Election. Will the numbers change in a fresh Election?
What parties seats are vulnerable or who might make gains in any constituencies ??
The journalist who was urging caution wrote an article about MI5 involvement with both groups last year. Must track it down.
They released the 4 with conmnections to the New IRA 'unconditionally' apparently.
Looks like Loyalists and New IRA joining forces.
Looks like criminals joining forces to me.
Unless there has been a revival of the United Irishmen.
I suppose with the dwindling appeal of naked sectarianism in the hearts of the Norths younger demographics, stands to reason the drug dealing rump of the paramilitaries would start to pool resources.
No, not being mischievous at all. Sunak was selling this on the basis that it was a great deal for NI as it gives them ready access to both markets Does this really not beg the question for you, if access to the single market is so good, why did the UK voluntarily give it up ? Remember, even with Brexit the UK Govt could have done a deal to essentially stay in the single market (which incidentally would have meant no protocol.). Lots of Scots seem to be asking the same thing now. “If this dual access is so great, why can’t we have some of it ?” Since you’re so anti the protocol, do you want out of the single market ? That’s the logic of someone like Jim Allisters position. I’d say Jim would happily give up free trade with Europe to copper fasten a border on the island. Are you with him on that ?
Can someone explain to me - Whenever the DUP stop sulking can the Stormont that was elected last year begin or will there need to be a new election?
Yes, they carry on for the rest of the term.
Don't take it personally, salonfire. Business is business.
Interesting how posters here (and rte) have tried to spin this. Must be a fig leaf
the Psni raised this to address rumours that ‘loyalists’ might have been involved. They were clear that those arrested were gangsters from a Protestant background. They made it clear that they were not connected to loyalist paramilitaries and that the gangsters had been working closely, for a very long time, with republicans who are in the Ira . I understand they are being investigated for supplying cars for the attack.
I know some of you couldn’t hide your excitement when you heard rte at their work, but you may cool your jets as it’s a non story.
next you’ll be telling me that loyalists started ww2 because hitler is from a Protestant background.
'They' (PSNI) clearly said 'Loyalist drug gangs' as recently as yesterday. That would be 'loyalists involved' in the attempted murder of a PSNI detective.
dc, if "gangsters from a Protestant background" (which in any other case we would surmise was a euphemism for loyalists) were involved in any way in the attempted murder of a police officer then that is most definitely not a non story, it is stunningly shocking. They might have supplied vehicles and not known their intended use, I suppose, we may never find out the detail though.
And Hitler was brought up a Roman Catholic, he briefly considered becoming a priest before following his fathers opinion that religion was nonsense. There are quotes that suggest that when he finished off the Jews, his next target would have been to “root out and destroy the influence of the Christian Churches ... the evil that is gnawing our vitals.”.
Hilarious that it was you who Godwin'd the thread and in such a ridiculous way as well.
Amazing how the commentary on the cold-blooded killing of a policeman has descended into your lot were involved as well as my lot type of debating.
That the IRA were involved is not doubted, that loyalist gangsters were involved is seemingly not doubted either, that there are politicians from the two sectarian parties, SF and DUP, whose words and deeds give oxygen to such people should not be in doubt either. A plague on all their houses.
It is an important fact that loyalists were involved, especially given that those blocking democracy in NI (the DUP) have in recent times made political decisions based on what loyalist terrorists have advised them.
However, to be honest and with a mod hat on now, your post seems more like a form of trolling and although I'll let it slide, I'm fed up with your sniping anywhere you can get a dig in at SF & the IRA. Thin ice is all I can think of!
that is behind a paywall. Can you give me some evidence of Psni saying they were loyalists?
If you say it is a ‘fact that loyalists were involved’, I’d be keen you define ‘loyalists’. Seems like you are implying that gangsters born in a Protestant home are automatically loyalists. I’ll find the clip but it was clear the Psni were saying republicans involved were members of the Ira and motivated politically (hence sf leadership saying the killing of policemen for the Irish republican cause is to be celebrated is completely relevant as a encourager) and they were clear that they wanted to clear up the incorrect rumours that loyalist paramilitaries were involved and hence said protestant background - which you will agree is a very strange term to use and wouldn’t be used without reason
I hope this puts it to bed and stops the nonsense. Many of you will feel like Gerry Kelly felt when he was trying to implicate loyalists - I can only guess how that feels but would like to hear. This is crystal clear
I was responding to journalism, not a comment by the PSNI.
The 4 republicans you are talking about were released 'unconditionally'.
The 4 in custody are according to the Bel Tel and others members of a loyalist drug gang and are suspected of supplying the targets movements and the weapon used.
The reason the moniker 'protestant' was used by the PSNI was probably because they are trying to save blushes in certain quarters.
Remember, the same PSNI attributed this to the New IRA long before they claimed responsibility so there may be blushes all round..
You should note that in a classic PR way, he didn't answer the question asked.
Sinn Féin's board member Gerry Kelly then pressed ACC McEwan on whether anyone from a loyalist background had been linked to the sinister attempted murder.
"We shouldn't be confused with titles like loyalism, these are people who are involved in criminality, they have strong links to members of the New IRA," said ACC McEwan.
Classic. What we are up against. Rather than a - sorry I trusted a journalist and you have produced the facts. Yes of course, francie digs in and even goes further. Everyone can see this is nonsense. You and Ian Paisley jnr would be well matched.
I commented on stories in the newspapers. As you are too.
I watched to actual exchange between Gerry Kelly and the Psni officer. My link quotes it verbatim.
francie try saying ‘I was wrong’. You’ll feel better
downcow, I didn't say you were wrong. I responded to the link you provided in which the PSNI officer did not answer the question he was asked. Fact.
Mod: Stop trolling!
Ok, fair enough, but several posters on here are suggesting some sort of ‘loyalism’ link. Here is a video of the said interview. The officer could not be clearer that these were hoods who happen to be hoods who grew up in a Protestant area. The ‘speculation’ he is responding to is the very same speculation that we are reading on here. He’s trying to put it to bed. This attack was carried out by Irish republicans that were members of the Ira. There is no getting away from that. Gerry Kelly tries to find a link to loyalism, but it’s just not there
have a listen to the interview
This should be a very interesting poll (just out) for many of you guys to read. Those that condemn my views as extreme on eg, feeling Irish, language, border poll , etc may be surprised. It will also give you a good sense on future voting and in particular the big comfort cushion unionists have in any border poll which will undoubtedly pull in these non-voters
poll is biggest ever in middle ground ie mainly non-voters and alliance voters.
some points struck me that may be illuminating for any people who get all their news and education through republican and nationalist sources.
only 20% describe themselves as ‘irish’
over 50% want ni to remain integral part of Uk
they are evenly split on support for Irish languagE, brexit and the protocol
etc
let me know if it’s behind a paywall in Ireland and I’ll post extracts
He didn't answer the question downcow.
And there is also no definite link to the NIRA, the officer says 'they believe' there is a link. Many people 'believe' in Santa.
When you answer the question. 'Why are Unionists permanently afraid and in siege mode?' you will get a sense of the validity of these polls.
Unionists are afraid of the conversation about a UI because they know that if a plan is arrived at then polling will dramatically change.
Until there is a plan then polling won't change that much.
Any predictions on when we might see a plan? Will there even be any interest in Ireland in actually producing a plan while unity is polling so poorly in NI?
There is a similar fear among FF and FG in the south, for different reasons - a real fear of losing their grip on power. As evidenced by their 'merger'/coalition.
I would expect SF to begin a governmental plan if they go into government.
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