Does anyone actually believe that Gerry Adams wasn't in the IRA?

begsbyOnaTrain · 17-09-2019 1:05pm #1

Yet another senior IRA man comes out saying that Adams was in it - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-49718168

A veteran republican who helped found the Provisional IRA has said Gerry Adams was a member of the organisation and described his denials as "a lie".

Des Long has given an interview to BBC Spotlight as part of its series on the Troubles.

He claimed he attended meetings of the IRA's ruling executive with Mr Adams, who was there as "chairman of the army council".

I was surprised to see this in the top news stories because like, who doesn't believe this? We've had numerous other IRA people come out and say it in the past (and give details of the murders he ordered) so is this a shock to anyone? The man's been lying for decades but it just suits all sides to nod away and agree.

super_furry · 17-09-2019 1:15pm

Nope.

17-09-2019 1:27pm

At least McGuinness had the stones to own up, Adams is a spineless jellyfish.

LollipopJimmy · 17-09-2019 1:28pm

He probably just hadn't filled in the form

Beta Ray Bill · 17-09-2019 1:30pm

It is no secret that at one point, Gerry Adams was head of the IRA.

Every Cat and Dog in the street knows it!

Portsalon · 17-09-2019 1:30pm

At this point in his life, I suspect that Gerry Adams himself doesn't believe that he was ever in the IRA. That's what lying consistently about something for 40 years can do to a person.

byronbay2 · 17-09-2019 1:31pm

begsbyOnaTrain wrote: »

Yet another senior IRA man comes out saying that Adams was in it - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-49718168

I was surprised to see this in the top news stories because like, who doesn't believe this? We've had numerous other IRA people come out and say it in the past (and give details of the murders he ordered) so is this a shock to anyone? The man's been lying for decades but it just suits all sides to nod away and agree.

My thoughts exactly. How could anyone think that "Gerry Adams WAS in IRA" could be news in 2019?

Conall Cernach · 17-09-2019 1:31pm

Deleted User wrote: »

At least McGuinness had the stones to own up, Adams is a spineless jellyfish.

McGuinness was found guilty of membership and served a few months in Portlaoise (This is despite him giving tv interviews admitting membership and being in documentaires in the North). Adams has only ever been jailed due to internment without trial.

Guy:Incognito · 17-09-2019 1:33pm

Maybe they never told him it was the IRA he was in

lawred2 · 17-09-2019 1:34pm

Obviously pro unionist sentiment must be in the gutter up North... they need an old story to get the flegs flying again

SafeSurfer · 17-09-2019 1:37pm

There have been many threads on Gerry Adams IRA membership before with some notable posters strenuously denying the reality.

begsbyOnaTrain · 17-09-2019 1:37pm

lawred2 wrote: »

Obviously pro unionist sentiment must be in the gutter up North... they need an old story to get the flegs flying again

Who's "they"? The IRA man that was interviewed?

markodaly · 17-09-2019 1:38pm

Gerry built a political carrer around lies and a cult of personality. He has lied about his IRA membership for so long, he probably believes it himself.

It does make sense in some way, for a person like that, to direct and order terrorist activities and downplay the effects it had on the island of Ireland, to try and compartmentalise his moral being and self. If you are going to order a mother to be shot dead, sure what is a lie about his IRA membership between friends?

randd1 · 17-09-2019 1:40pm

Of course he wasn't, sure he told us often enough.

In other news, ironically also involving Gerry Adams, reports are that his pants have spontaneously caught fire, his nose has grown to extraordinary lengths and a wolf killed his sheep while the townsfolk refused to help him.

Gerry Adams also reports that these phenomena have nothing to do with his previous statements on IRA membership.

lawred2 · 17-09-2019 1:44pm

begsbyOnaTrain wrote: »

Who's "they"? The IRA man that was interviewed?

the faceless nameless anonymous IRA man yeah

everyone seems to have a collection of unnamed sources these days... amazing how good these journos are

James Brown · 17-09-2019 1:46pm

He may have let his dues lapse so technically....

IMO, I think he had to lie about it. Otherwise he'd never be taken as a politician, especially in the early days.
But any member would have been stupid to come out IMO. The IRA didn't have the luxury of British 'law' to cover for them and back them up.

begsbyOnaTrain · 17-09-2019 1:47pm

lawred2 wrote: »

the faceless nameless anonymous IRA man yeah

everyone seems to have a collection of unnamed sources these days... amazing how good these journos are

The what? Did you even look at the link? He's named and will be on the tv show. Not faceless. Not unsourced. You couldn't be further from the truth.

Oh no, let me guess... you actually believe Gerry, don't you?

Seth Brundle · 17-09-2019 1:47pm

Sure doesnt it say he was IRA Chief of Staff on his LinkedIn profile!

maccored · 17-09-2019 1:47pm

I'd say technically he wasn't, but he may as well have been. I also say who cares? I certainly don't.

lawred2 · 17-09-2019 1:50pm

begsbyOnaTrain wrote: »

The what? Did you even look at the link? He's named and will be on the tv show. Not faceless. Not unsourced. You couldn't be further from the truth.

Oh no, let me guess... you actually believe Gerry, don't you?

actually no I don't believe him... It was never really credible. Just not something that I ever got too excited about. Frankly I couldn't give a sh!t. Doesn't change anything.

begsbyOnaTrain · 17-09-2019 1:52pm

lawred2 wrote: »

actually no I don't believe him... It was never really credible. Just not something that I ever got too excited about. Doesn't change anything.

Excited enough to blame "they" (whomever they may be), attempt to disparage and mock the source and now to gentley sidestep it all and claim it doesn't matter

JohnnyFlash · 17-09-2019 1:52pm

maccored wrote: »

I'd say technically he wasn't, but he may as well have been. I also say who cares? I certainly don't.

I’d imagine the families of all the people blown to bits might care, dude.

maccored · 17-09-2019 1:54pm

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

I’d imagine the families of all the people blown to bits might care, dude.

what the hell has that got to do with the equation? Going for the sympathy vote are we?

lawred2 · 17-09-2019 1:57pm

begsbyOnaTrain wrote: »

Excited enough to blame "they" (whomever they may be), attempt to disparage and mock the source and now to gentley sidestep it all and claim it doesn't matter

Forgive me - my opinion of modern journalism isn't very high..

In fact I trust next to none of it

Needs Must · 17-09-2019 1:59pm

Did he also lie about knowing that his brother was an abuser?

JohnnyFlash · 17-09-2019 2:01pm

Needs Must wrote: »

Did he also lie about knowing that his brother was an abuser?

He did.

markodaly · 17-09-2019 2:06pm

Matt Barrett wrote: »

He may have let his dues lapse so technically....

IMO, I think he had to lie about it. Otherwise he'd never be taken as a politician, especially in the early days.
But any member would have been stupid to come out IMO. The IRA didn't have the luxury of British 'law' to cover for them and back them up.

That is a cop-out, in fairness. Martin McGuiness was always upfront about it. Didn't stop him from sharing power with the late Rev. Ian Paisley.

Also, the Good Friday Agreement was more than 20 years ago, yet today he still lies like the best of them about his IRA membership.

He could come clean.... but he is the man he is, so he continues to lie.

El_Duderino 09 · 17-09-2019 2:06pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

At least McGuinness had the stones to own up, Adams is a spineless jellyfish.

Ah, that's silly. It was a necessary lie for sinn fein to be part of the peace process. And I think it's obviously good that sinn fein was the political wing of the ira. So its a lie, and everyone knows it's a lie so what's the problem?

Plumbthedepths · 17-09-2019 2:08pm

Who cares, move on.

NaFirinne · 17-09-2019 2:12pm

I'd say for Gerry to admit it you need to Define the word "In" as he was more "In" Sinn Fein while being over the IRA

lola85 · 17-09-2019 2:15pm

Matt Barrett wrote: »

He may have let his dues lapse so technically....

IMO, I think he had to lie about it. Otherwise he'd never be taken as a politician, especially in the early days.
But any member would have been stupid to come out IMO. The IRA didn't have the luxury of British 'law' to cover for them and back them up.

And here we go.

You are constantly giving out about FFG lying and how utterly outraged you are.

So what’s different?

El_Duderino 09 · 17-09-2019 2:16pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I hear satire is making a comeback.

What's satirical about it? Is something about what I said not accurate?

James Brown · 17-09-2019 2:20pm

markodaly wrote: »

That is a cop-out, in fairness. Martin McGuiness was always upfront about it. Didn't stop him from sharing power with the late Rev. Ian Paisley.

Also, the Good Friday Agreement was more than 20 years ago, yet today he still lies like the best of them about his IRA membership.

He could come clean.... but he is the man he is, so he continues to lie.

It would be a 'cop out' if I'd skin in the game, I do not. I was never a member of the IRA

Did you see McGuinness give a lot of political statements while organising hits on people and bombings? How did he fit it all in?

I'd lie if I were him. Common sense. You'd have all sorts suing you and likely be charged on something.
Also I think everyone has made up their mind and it's a non-news story IMO.

James Brown · 17-09-2019 2:23pm

lola85 wrote: »

And here we go.

You are constantly giving out about FFG lying and how utterly outraged you are.

So what’s different?

Absolutely nothing. Do you see me giving out about PBP or Renua much? No? likely they are up to all sorts of shenanigans....FG are in government. Their lies and decisions ruin lives. Whether or not Adams was in the IRA, I reckon he was. So that's it for me. If it were the 1970s/80's and Sinn Fein were in government, I'd likely have a stronger opinion.

markodaly · 17-09-2019 2:56pm

Matt Barrett wrote: »

I'd lie if I were him. Common sense.

Clearly you two share the same morals so.

ToBeFrank123 · 17-09-2019 3:33pm

Based on most of the evidence and numerous accounts from across the board, its not only obvious Adams was in the IRA but he also called many of the shots in the IRA.

Only someone in the IRA could have persuaded them to eventually give up violence.

There was a running "joke" during the Troubles about Adams going and asking the IRA if they were involved in something and they usually telling him no. Of course he needn't have gone far.

SafeSurfer · 17-09-2019 3:34pm

Matt Barrett wrote: »

markodaly wrote: »

That is a cop-out, in fairness. Martin McGuiness was always upfront about it. Didn't stop him from sharing power with the late Rev. Ian Paisley.

Also, the Good Friday Agreement was more than 20 years ago, yet today he still lies like the best of them about his IRA membership.

He could come clean.... but he is the man he is, so he continues to lie.

It would be a 'cop out' if I'd skin in the game, I do not. I was never a member of the IRA
Did you see McGuinness give a lot of political statements while organising hits on people and bombings? How did he fit it all in?

I'd lie if I were him. Common sense. You'd have all sorts suing you and likely be charged on something.
Also I think everyone has made up their mind and it's a non-news story IMO.

Do you see any hypocrisy in a known liar consistently calling for a truth and reconciliation commission?

If he took the risk of telling the truth it would be a very powerful statement and throw down the gauntlet to others. Instead he chooses to continue to lie.

James Brown · 17-09-2019 3:35pm

markodaly wrote: »

Clearly you two share the same morals so.

Give over Marko. If you or I were in an illegal organisation we wouldn't be announcing it. That's logic.
We're talking about Gerry Adams likely being in the IRA and why he might lie about it. Catch yourself on.

James Brown · 17-09-2019 3:38pm

SafeSurfer wrote: »

Do you see any hypocrisy in a known liar consistently calling for a truth and reconciliation commission?

If he took the risk of telling the truth it would be a very powerful statement and throw down the gauntlet to others. Instead he chooses to continue to lie.

No. I see a man not putting himself on the chopping black. He'd have been an idiot to come out as IRA, IMO.
Maybe if the SAS all come out?

SafeSurfer · 17-09-2019 3:41pm

Matt Barrett wrote: »

SafeSurfer wrote: »

Do you see any hypocrisy in a known liar consistently calling for a truth and reconciliation commission?

If he took the risk of telling the truth it would be a very powerful statement and throw down the gauntlet to others. Instead he chooses to continue to lie.

No. I see a man not putting himself on the chopping black. He'd have been an idiot to come out as IRA, IMO.
Maybe if the SAS all come out?

Well at least there is a little progress. Up until very recently this defenders argued that he was never a member of the IRA. Now there is an acknowledgement that he was and lied consistently and repeatedly about it.

James Brown · 17-09-2019 3:44pm

SafeSurfer wrote: »

Well at least there is a little progress. Up until very recently this defenders argued that he was never a member of the IRA. Now there is an acknowledgement that he was and lied consistently and repeatedly about it.

How is it progress? I am nobodies defender and always assumed he was in the IRA, since I was a child. It's an illegal organisation doncha know?
People are complex comrade. I see you side step the parts of comments that draw you away from your little digs, enjoy

SafeSurfer · 17-09-2019 3:48pm

Matt Barrett wrote: »

SafeSurfer wrote: »

Well at least there is a little progress. Up until very recently this defenders argued that he was never a member of the IRA. Now there is an acknowledgement that he was and lied consistently and repeatedly about it.

How is it progress? I am nobodies defender and always assumed he was in the IRA, since I was a child. It's an illegal organisation doncha know?
People are complex comrade. I see you side step the parts of comments that draw you away from your little digs, enjoy

I don’t believe the issue of telling the truth or lying is all that complex. Sidestepping the part about the SAS? Calls for truth and justice from a known liar who could clear up a lot of lies and injustice by telling the truth ring pretty hollow don’t you think?

xckjoo · 17-09-2019 3:49pm

Met a guy in his early 20's a while back that was adamant he was never in it. Literally left me speechless because I thought everyone knew that he was. Might as well have tried to tell me the Pope isn't Catholic. He was neck deep in some kind of kool-aid though. Too "woke" for reality.

James Brown · 17-09-2019 3:51pm

SafeSurfer wrote: »

I don’t believe the issue of telling the truth or lying is all that complex. Sidestepping the part about the SAS? Calls for truth and justice from a known liar who could clear up a lot of lies and injustice by telling the truth ring pretty hollow don’t you think?

Truth and justice. We've opposing sides here. One legal armed forces and a secretive branch. The other an illegal group labelled terrorists. And you want an alleged member to come out? Give over.

James Brown · 17-09-2019 3:53pm

xckjoo wrote: »

Met a guy in his early 20's a while back that was adamant he was never in it. Literally left me speechless because I thought everyone knew that he was. Might as well have tried to tell me the Pope isn't Catholic. He was neck deep in some kind of kool-aid though. Too "woke" for reality.

So IRA deniers are woke now? I much catch up on Nickelodeon to learn all the latest Republican newspeak.

xckjoo · 17-09-2019 3:54pm

Matt Barrett wrote: »

So IRA deniers are woke now? I much catch up on Nickelodeon to learn all the latest Republican newspeak.

What are you on about?

Scoundrel · 17-09-2019 3:54pm

Deleted User wrote: »

At least McGuinness had the stones to own up, Adams is a spineless jellyfish.

It's very simple really Gerry Adams was never done for membership so he can't admit publicly he was in the IRA even though everyone knows he was and indeed he was in charge of it. Martin McGuinness could admit membership up to 1974 (which he did) because he was convicted of membership in 1973. My own opinion of Adams is that he was a sociopath who literally walked on corpses to get where he is and sold all of his supposed beliefs down the river to be a statesman.

ednwireland · 17-09-2019 3:55pm

i suspect he was never made to swear allegience (or whatever they do ) to the IRA, basically as a way of giving him political plausible deniability when the armalite and ballot box strategy was invented.

he may have ordered attacksa sat on army council meetings but was never officialy a member.

officialy possibly not in every other respect however yes !

Portsalon · 17-09-2019 3:55pm

Matt Barrett wrote: »

Maybe if the SAS all come out?

Out of what? Their various barracks?

SafeSurfer · 17-09-2019 3:56pm

Matt Barrett wrote: »

SafeSurfer wrote: »

I don’t believe the issue of telling the truth or lying is all that complex. Sidestepping the part about the SAS? Calls for truth and justice from a known liar who could clear up a lot of lies and injustice by telling the truth ring pretty hollow don’t you think?

Truth and justice. We've opposing sides here. One legal armed forces and a secretive branch. The other an illegal group labelled terrorists. And you want an alleged member to come out? Give over.

Know who is sidestepping. Can you not bring yourself to acknowledge that Adams is a liar. A known and consistent liar and because he is perceived to be a liar he has no integrity in the eyes of many of the electorate who’s votes he tried to win? The fact that he is a liar with no integrity did huge damage to the republican movement in recent years. His inability to tell the truth made him a laughing stock. Nelson Mandela he ain’t.

markodaly · 17-09-2019 3:58pm

Matt Barrett wrote: »

Give over Marko. If you or I were in an illegal organisation we wouldn't be announcing it. That's logic.
We're talking about Gerry Adams likely being in the IRA and why he might lie about it. Catch yourself on.

What is the logic about lying about it for the past 20 years when there is no danger to his personal freedom?
McGuinness admitted his membership, as have many people and they have gotten on with their lives.

The fact you are here defending a pathological lier says it all.

Does anyone actually believe that Gerry Adams wasn't in the IRA?

Comments