Taoiseach shocked and dismayed at Sinn Fein TDs tweet on IRA attacks

Hqrry113 · 01-12-2020 12:02pm #1

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “shocked and dismayed” by a controversial tweet sent by a Sinn Féin TD that referenced IRA attacks during the War of Independence and the Troubles.

On Saturday, the Laois-Offaly TD tweeted in reference to the Kilmichael Ambush in 1920 and the Narrow Water Massacre in Warrenpoint, Co Down in 1979, claiming they were “the 2 IRA operations that taught the elite of d British army and the establishment the cost of occupying Ireland. Pity for everyone they were such slow learners”.

Eighteen British soldiers were killed at Warrenpoint by the Provisional IRA on August 27th 1979 a deaf civilian was also killed after soldiers fired across the border into the Irish republic after the attack out of anger and rage.

In the 1920 incident at Kilmichael, a total of 17 British soldiers were killed, alongside three members of the War of Independence-era IRA.

Mr Martin said that the tweet by Laois-Offaly TD Brian Stanley was “appalling” and has done “huge damage”

Do you really think the tweet was all that bad or is Michael just point scoring?

jprender · 01-12-2020 12:05pm

The tweet was disgusting.

Hqrry113 · 01-12-2020 12:06pm

jprender wrote: »

The tweet was disgusting.

What do you think was so disgusting about it?

Blazer · 01-12-2020 12:10pm

Hqrry113 wrote: »

What do you think was so disgusting about it?

We're supposed to be moving on from all this bull****.
How are the protestants up north ever supposed to believe in unification when you still have muppets like this clown tweeting out this crap?
Or do SF even care about what they think and if unification happens these people think they can do likewise to the prods like what they did to the catholics?
Seriously what has that achieved but just murder and death on both sides.
Its time for these SF clowns to get into the 21st century, put on their big boy pants, tell the IRA head honchos to **** off and die and maybe then they'll be ready to actually lead a country.
But I doubt it by their recent behaviour.

jprender · 01-12-2020 12:10pm

Hqrry113 wrote: »

What do you think was so disgusting about it?

Glorifying murder on either side.

The British are still here btw, so what exactly is he suggesting when he says they are “slow learners”?

SF like to distance themselves from the IRA saying that it is in the past, and then you have morons making statements like this ðŸ™„
Serious lack of brains.

timmyntc · 01-12-2020 12:15pm

Hqrry113 wrote: »

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “shocked and dismayed” by a controversial tweet sent by a Sinn Féin TD that referenced IRA attacks during the War of Independence and the Troubles.

On Saturday, the Laois-Offaly TD tweeted in reference to the Kilmichael Ambush in 1920 and the Narrow Water Massacre in Warrenpoint, Co Down in 1979, claiming they were “the 2 IRA operations that taught the elite of d British army and the establishment the cost of occupying Ireland. Pity for everyone they were such slow learners”.

Eighteen British soldiers were killed at Warrenpoint by the Provisional IRA on August 27th 1979 a civilian was also killed after soldiers fired across the border into the Irish republic out of anger and rage.

In the 1920 incident at Kilmichael, a total of 17 British soldiers were killed, alongside three members of the War of Independence-era IRA.

Mr Martin said that the tweet by Laois-Offaly TD Brian Stanley was “appalling” and has done “huge damage”

Do you really think the tweet was all that bad or is Michael just point scoring?

Point scoring. Polls recently indicated SF on highest support ever(?) so naturally MM will have to use whatever he can to attack them.

Warrenpoint & Kilmichael were no different really.

jprender wrote:

Glorifying murder on either side.

The British are still here btw, so what exactly is he suggesting when he says they are “slow learners”?

SF like to distance themselves from the IRA saying that it is in the past, and then you have morons making statements like this ðŸ™„
Serious lack of brains.

We glorify murder all the time when we commemorate the Rising and various other skirmishes around Civil war era.
How is Warrenpoint (or Brian Stanleys tweet mentioning same) any different?

Hqrry113 · 01-12-2020 12:20pm

Blazer wrote: »

We're supposed to be moving on from all this bull****.
How are the protestants up north ever supposed to believe in unification when you still have muppets like this clown tweeting out this crap?
Or do SF even care about what they think and if unification happens these people think they can do likewise to the prods like what they did to the catholics?
Seriously what has that achieved but just murder and death on both sides.
Its time for these SF clowns to get into the 21st century, put on their big boy pants, tell the IRA head honchos to **** off and die and maybe then they'll be ready to actually lead a country.
But I doubt it by their recent behaviour.

No reference to protestants at all so I don't know what you're ranting on about saying "they think they can do likewise to the prods" .

whisky_galore · 01-12-2020 12:20pm

The tweet was internet pub republican type content, not befitting of an elected public representative.

blanch152 · 01-12-2020 12:24pm

Hqrry113 wrote: »

What do you think was so disgusting about it?

It is quite scary that a few days after the tweet, and after the publicity around it, there are still people who haven't been able to grasp and understand why others are disgusted, horrified and appalled by the tweet.

That failure to empathise with the other side will forever hold Sinn Fein back from being part of normal society and also why they are completely unfit for government.

WrenBoy · 01-12-2020 12:30pm

If this "Shocked and Dismayed" him, then I don't think he's really up to running a Government in hard times, too much stress on the poor thing.

An Claidheamh · 01-12-2020 12:34pm

jprender wrote: »

The tweet was disgusting.

No it wasn’t

It was stating a fact

The two ambushes were similar

That tweet was nothing out of the ordinary, no different to any second DUP tweet

British MPs regularly remember their “heroic soldiers” and say, not very nice things about the foreigners they were “civilising”

In fact, shortly after that tweet you had the
Dee Ewe Pay whinging about government commemorations of Kilmichael,
any statement from FF, the Republican Party on that?

MM and the Irish media will do anything to avoid questions about his spineless lack of action regarding Finucane’s murder

thecomedian · 01-12-2020 12:41pm

An Claidheamh wrote: »

No it wasn’t

It was stating a fact

The two ambushes were similar

That tweet was nothing out of the ordinary, no different to any second DUP tweet

British MPs regularly remember their “heroic soldiers” and say, not very nice things about the foreigners they were “civilising”

In fact, shortly after that tweet you had the
Dee Ewe Pay whinging about government commemorations of Kilmichael,
any statement from FF, the Republican Party on that?

MM and the Irish media will do anything to avoid questions about his spineless lack of action regarding Finucane’s murder

Whatabout isn’t the best defence here.
It was stupid. I’d be expecting a lot better from Brian Stanley (who I thought was one of the better SF TDs)

Hqrry113 · 01-12-2020 12:47pm

thecomedian wrote: »

Whatabout isn’t the best defence here.
It was stupid. I’d be expecting a lot better from Brian Stanley (who I thought was one of the better SF TDs)

Fair play to him for commemorating two great guerilla attacks, in reference to the warrenpoint ambush the regiment they attacked had already been responsible for 3 massacres of Irish men women and children.

If the IRA didn't hand out some justice you best believe no one else would have.

Blazer · 01-12-2020 1:14pm

Hqrry113 wrote: »

No reference to protestants at all so I don't know what you're ranting on about saying "they think they can do likewise to the prods" .

Fact is at a critical point in time with Brexit looming potentially unification could come down the road and comments like this are not helpful to the unification narrative.
Whether you like it or not there is a still huge UK support in the North and both sides need to move forward and integrate.

partyguinness · 01-12-2020 1:19pm

WrenBoy wrote: »

If this "Shocked and Dismayed" him, then I don't think he's really up to running a Government in hard times, too much stress on the poor thing.

To be fair...what was he supposed to say:- "Relax lads. Sure what do you expect from that shower."

Victor · 01-12-2020 1:20pm

An Claidheamh wrote: »

That tweet was nothing out of the ordinary, no different to any second DUP tweet

British MPs regularly remember their “heroic soldiers” and say, not very nice things about the foreigners they were “civilising”

Wouldn't you hope that people could be better than that?

Floppybits · 01-12-2020 1:22pm

whisky_galore wrote: »

The tweet was internet pub republican type content, not befitting of an elected public representative.

Neither is leaking Confidential documents to mates and telling other party members what crony's to appoint to the Supreme Court. Can't have your cake and eat it.

This SF lad was stupid to put up a tweet and give an under pressure government a chance to point score like this. The SF leadership need to have a word with the party faithful and see if they can drum a bit of sense into them.

Kermit.de.frog · 01-12-2020 1:23pm

Hard to know which was more offensive in the tweet - the content or the standard of spelling.

grassylawn · 01-12-2020 1:28pm

It's common to commemorate your own dead soldiers, or celebrate victories in wars or even battles.

This is not any of those things, it's just celebrating killing.

a very cool kid · 01-12-2020 1:29pm

I think what's missed here is that the 1920 IRA were working on behalf of the democratically elected Dáil and had widespread support to be the legitimate army of the new nation.

Whether you agree with partition or not, the PROVOs didn't have this level of widespread support (most people hate/were afraid of them) and the world had moved on (after two world wars) to where violent uprisings were a thing of the past (certainly in Western Europe).

blanch152 · 01-12-2020 1:33pm

a very cool kid wrote: »

I think what's missed here is that the 1920 IRA were working on behalf of the democratically elected Dáil and had widespread support to be the legitimate army of the new nation.

Whether you agree with partition or not, the PROVOs didn't have this level of widespread support (most people hate/were afraid of them) and the world had moved on (after two world wars) to where violent uprisings were a thing of the past (certainly in Western Europe).

Some people just refuse to move on.

There are those who claim all of the problems on this island are mainly due to partition. It is a huge insult to all of those people who have lived and worked through the last century to make Ireland near the top of the list of every international ranking as a place to live and work.

Hqrry113 · 01-12-2020 1:35pm

blanch152 wrote: »

Some people just refuse to move on.

There are those who claim all of the problems on this island are mainly due to partition. It is a huge insult to all of those people who have lived and worked through the last century to make Ireland near the top of the list of every international ranking as a place to live and work.

How is that an insult what are you even going on about?

whisky_galore · 01-12-2020 1:37pm

Floppybits wrote: »

Neither is leaking Confidential documents to mates and telling other party members what crony's to appoint to the Supreme Court. Can't have your cake and eat it.

This SF lad was stupid to put up a tweet and give an under pressure government a chance to point score like this. The SF leadership need to have a word with the party faithful and see if they can drum a bit of sense into them.

Is there a "doing stupid sh1t" competition here?

Floppybits · 01-12-2020 1:44pm

whisky_galore wrote: »

Is there a "doing stupid sh1t" competition here?

Seems to be. Just calling out the hypocrisy going on, Lads here defending what Leo Varadkar and Helen McEntee done the last few weeks and now are furious over a tweet. Can't be having it both ways.

Gatling · 01-12-2020 1:47pm

A bunch of knuckle draggers .

Listening to ml on the radio this morning taking about people commemorating dates in what she Said was Irish history ,
Massive double standards crying about Loughgall and trying to have social media content removed from YouTube as due to victims families sensitivity ,
So the ira kill soldiers or police officers the days must be commemorated ,ira get kills carrying out a terror attack and oh this of the victims ,you mean the scum the set out to kill innocent people ,and it's not to be discussed ,no videos to be shown about it ,and a memorial service for the terrorists ,

The North can never move on as long as the old guard have all of the power ,
They need new political parties that have no connection to the past and only want to move forward

MadYaker · 01-12-2020 2:50pm

Floppybits wrote: »

Seems to be. Just calling out the hypocrisy going on, Lads here defending what Leo Varadkar and Helen McEntee done the last few weeks and now are furious over a tweet. Can't be having it both ways.

That’s not having it both ways?

MadYaker · 01-12-2020 2:52pm

It was an idiotic tweet but anyone who is surprised by this sort of thing coming from SF haven’t been paying attention.

Sebastian Dangerfield · 01-12-2020 3:01pm

Floppybits wrote: »

This SF lad was stupid to put up a tweet and give an under pressure government a chance to point score like this. The SF leadership need to have a word with the party faithful and see if they can drum a bit of sense into them.

This exactly. When SF had such a great general election last time out, they spoiled their own celebrations by regularly saying and doing stupid things, and drawing negative attention on themselves immediately.

This time the current government seem to trying wholeheartedly to sabotage themselves; you'd think the message from above in SF would be for everyone to keep their noses clean, don't do or say anything stupid that takes the spotlight off FF / FG, but they just cant help themselves.

KarlMarks · 01-12-2020 3:08pm

MadYaker wrote: »

It was an idiotic tweet but anyone who is surprised by this sort of thing coming from SF haven’t been paying attention.

It wasn't an idiotic tweet. It was a tweet from a Republican celebrating two military actions against the foreign army present on this island. This nonensne about Republicans being allowed to think these things but not say them should not be tolerated. FF and FG are making hay from this, and the 26 county SF party are falling for it. I just hope Ogra SF has more radical members as this is real tugging the forelock stuff from MLMD etc.

James Brown · 01-12-2020 3:43pm

jprender wrote: »

Glorifying murder on either side.

The British are still here btw, so what exactly is he suggesting when he says they are “slow learners”?

SF like to distance themselves from the IRA saying that it is in the past, and then you have morons making statements like this &#55357;&#56900;
Serious lack of brains.

I think people like FF/FG try sell that idea but I don't see it. Why should they distance themselves? It's in the past and the tweet was regarding the past. It was no call to arms. He was free to make the statement IMO. There are ex-IRA in SF. SF and the IRA would likely be proud of their history. We need to understand that.
The like of MM pretending to be aghast is pure bull****.

blanch152 · 01-12-2020 3:53pm

Bowie wrote: »

I think people like FF/FG try sell that idea but I don't see it. Why should they distance themselves? It's in the past and the tweet was regarding the past. It was no call to arms. He was free to make the statement IMO. There are ex-IRA in SF. SF and the IRA would likely be proud of their history. We need to understand that.
The like of MM pretending to be aghast is pure bull****.

Have to agree with you there that Sinn Fein are proud of what the IRA did and what they supported them to do - the killing of children, the disappeance of mothers, the sexual abuse, the torture and killing of Paul Quinn, the rape of Mairia Cahill, the protection of Liam Adams, the kneecappings, the targetting of civilians etc.

That is why this all needs to be pointed out, because while you and I will understand that Sinn Fein are proud of this history, too many people have forgotten what they are.

KarlMarks · 01-12-2020 3:56pm

Its just Martin and Leo the Lier trying to create a controversy where there isn't one so people wont pay too much attention to the utter shambels of a government they are leading. They will have seen the opinion poll figures at the weekend and see that change is coming. That the people want a United Ireland, want a socialist alternative and want an end to a cosy two-party establishment dividing the spoils between them.

James Brown · 01-12-2020 4:33pm

blanch152 wrote: »

Have to agree with you there that Sinn Fein are proud of what the IRA did and what they supported them to do - the killing of children, the disappeance of mothers, the sexual abuse, the torture and killing of Paul Quinn, the rape of Mairia Cahill, the protection of Liam Adams, the kneecappings, the targetting of civilians etc.

That is why this all needs to be pointed out, because while you and I will understand that Sinn Fein are proud of this history, too many people have forgotten what they are.

In as much as some admire the BA, British Monarchy and the like despite the high level pedophilia, war crimes, protecting Prince Andrew, murders, rapes etc. etc.? If you want to look at it that way that's your business but I'd see it as a flawed blinkered view. Can you point to either the IRA or SF celebrating all of those you listed?
When people vote for FF are they voting for Haughey level corruption? If they vote FG are they supporting glassing people in the face in a bar argument? Maybe they are aware of everything, weigh it up and choose to vote for who they believe is best suited at the time?

Nobotty · 01-12-2020 4:56pm

KarlMarks wrote: »

It wasn't an idiotic tweet. It was a tweet from a Republican celebrating two military actions against the foreign army present on this island. This nonensne about Republicans being allowed to think these things but not say them should not be tolerated. FF and FG are making hay from this, and the 26 county SF party are falling for it. I just hope Ogra SF has more radical members as this is real tugging the forelock stuff from MLMD etc.

What you call nonsense, if done all the time would lose SF an awful lot of votes

blanch152 · 01-12-2020 6:01pm

Bowie wrote: »

In as much as some admire the BA, British Monarchy and the like despite the high level pedophilia, war crimes, protecting Prince Andrew, murders, rapes etc. etc.? If you want to look at it that way that's your business but I'd see it as a flawed blinkered view. Can you point to either the IRA or SF celebrating all of those you listed?
When people vote for FF are they voting for Haughey level corruption? If they vote FG are they supporting glassing people in the face in a bar argument? Maybe they are aware of everything, weigh it up and choose to vote for who they believe is best suited at the time?

Funny you should ask, but Bobby Storey was knee deep in a lot of the things I listed and he was celebrated by Sinn Fein (police investigation pending), not to mention the bould Gerry who was also involved.

Hqrry113 · 01-12-2020 6:08pm

Nobotty wrote: »

What you call nonsense, if done all the time would lose SF an awful lot of votes

Would it really though? I don't think anyone who votes Sinn Fein could care less about IRA involvement during the troubles it's actually a reason a lot of people vote for them.

James Brown · 01-12-2020 6:08pm

blanch152 wrote: »

Funny you should ask, but Bobby Storey was knee deep in a lot of the things I listed and he was celebrated by Sinn Fein (police investigation pending), not to mention the bould Gerry who was also involved.

So no. Made up claims.

blanch152 · 01-12-2020 6:37pm

Bowie wrote: »

So no. Made up claims.

What??? Sure wasn't his funeral with the white shirt brigade covered on the News for weeks? How could I be making up the celebration of Bobby Storey?

James Brown · 01-12-2020 7:25pm

blanch152 wrote: »

What??? Sure wasn't his funeral with the white shirt brigade covered on the News for weeks? How could I be making up the celebration of Bobby Storey?

Being dishonest again Blanch.

Can you point to either the IRA or SF celebrating all of those you listed?

You couldn't.

blanch152 · 01-12-2020 9:27pm

Bowie wrote: »

Being dishonest again Blanch.

You couldn't.

I just did, they celebrated one of the thugs who planned those things. Are you blind to what Bobby Storey was?

Sinn Fein celebrated the life and times of a man who dedicated his time on this earth to cruelty towards his fellow man, a thug, a murderer, a bully and who had deep involvement in many of the things I listed.

Jinglejangle69 · 01-12-2020 9:35pm

KarlMarks wrote: »

Its just Martin and Leo the Lier trying to create a controversy where there isn't one so people wont pay too much attention to the utter shambels of a government they are leading. They will have seen the opinion poll figures at the weekend and see that change is coming. That the people want a United Ireland, want a socialist alternative and want an end to a cosy two-party establishment dividing the spoils between them.

Who is "the people" you speak of?

Jinglejangle69 · 01-12-2020 9:38pm

Floppybits wrote: »

Seems to be. Just calling out the hypocrisy going on, Lads here defending what Leo Varadkar and Helen McEntee done the last few weeks and now are furious over a tweet. Can't be having it both ways.

So we're never allowed have an opinion because we didn't agree with yours last week????

Sure what's the point in any politicians ever been pulled up.

How far do you allow us to go back to have an opinion before we can criticise SF?

1 year, 2 years, 100 years???

ExMachina1000 · 01-12-2020 9:42pm

Hqrry113 wrote: »

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “shocked and dismayed” by a controversial tweet sent by a Sinn Féin TD that referenced IRA attacks during the War of Independence and the Troubles.

On Saturday, the Laois-Offaly TD tweeted in reference to the Kilmichael Ambush in 1920 and the Narrow Water Massacre in Warrenpoint, Co Down in 1979, claiming they were “the 2 IRA operations that taught the elite of d British army and the establishment the cost of occupying Ireland. Pity for everyone they were such slow learners”.

Eighteen British soldiers were killed at Warrenpoint by the Provisional IRA on August 27th 1979 a deaf civilian was also killed after soldiers fired across the border into the Irish republic after the attack out of anger and rage.

In the 1920 incident at Kilmichael, a total of 17 British soldiers were killed, alongside three members of the War of Independence-era IRA.

Mr Martin said that the tweet by Laois-Offaly TD Brian Stanley was “appalling” and has done “huge damage”

Do you really think the tweet was all that bad or is Michael just point scoring?

I voted fg the last two elections. I think Sf are a populist party.

But I think it's just clearly point scoring. Its politics and sf are attacking the government regularly on various topics.

He shouldn't have typed it out obviously but they were British soldiers in Ireland in 1979 during the violence. I don't really care if the British army lost soldiers on the island of Ireland ,they took enough Irish ones and countless others around the world through violence, occupation and starvation.
I doubt MM really does either. Politics

James Brown · 01-12-2020 9:50pm

blanch152 wrote: »

I just did, they celebrated one of the thugs who planned those things. Are you blind to what Bobby Storey was?

Sinn Fein celebrated the life and times of a man who dedicated his time on this earth to cruelty towards his fellow man, a thug, a murderer, a bully and who had deep involvement in many of the things I listed.

You are dodging here quite clearly.
You stated:

blanch152 wrote: »

Have to agree with you there that Sinn Fein are proud of what the IRA did and what they supported them to do - the killing of children, the disappeance of mothers, the sexual abuse, the torture and killing of Paul Quinn, the rape of Mairia Cahill, the protection of Liam Adams, the kneecappings, the targetting of civilians etc.

That is why this all needs to be pointed out, because while you and I will understand that Sinn Fein are proud of this history, too many people have forgotten what they are.

I asked. "Can you point to either the IRA or SF celebrating all of those you listed?".

You can't. And you've been trying to pull the aul' switcheroo. Made up stuff for colour. Dishonest.

ElJeffe · 01-12-2020 9:54pm

Nothing wrong with the tweet imo.

Odhinn · 01-12-2020 9:57pm

ElJeffe wrote: »

Nothing wrong with the tweet imo.

Nothing at all.

weldoninhio · 01-12-2020 9:59pm

KarlMarks wrote: »

It wasn't an idiotic tweet. It was a tweet from a Republican celebrating two military actions against the foreign army present on this island. This nonensne about Republicans being allowed to think these things but not say them should not be tolerated. FF and FG are making hay from this, and the 26 county SF party are falling for it. I just hope Ogra SF has more radical members as this is real tugging the forelock stuff from MLMD etc.

Remembence is only for the Brits apparently. Flying reconditioned planes like the ones that firebombed civilians and refugees to death in Dresden over cheering crowds. Meanwhile Leo the Leak and Tanagan think we should be remembering the Black and Tans. But woe betide the Irish remembering the Irish!!!

Normal One · 01-12-2020 9:59pm

The spelling wasn't great, other than that he was spot on. Both great military operations against occupying forces.

end of the road · 01-12-2020 10:40pm

our boy's tweat was 100% correct, commemorating 2 necessary anti-terror operations against one of, if not the most evil army in the world who were brutalising our people up until a little over 20 years ago.
it will be forgotten about in a couple of days like all the other stuff used to try and attack sf, sf's voter base is growing and they will one day be in government.
remember ff and fg are 2 sides of the same type of politics ultimately.

Yamanoto · 01-12-2020 10:45pm

Unionisssts have abssssolutely nothing to fear from a Sssssshin Fein united Ireland

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BCPh6gPJUiJmmhh0GQb1E9Gi9ryar_fqZR4HsQefhb8_4DlN-qu01z_7x_QEBNF3uIu-Py0Jdmvzy7uQ8scPFbhQdfWLuU_Fx_MvqCADRmTC-XMlKQLw

Normal One · 01-12-2020 10:57pm

end of the road wrote: »

our boy's tweat was 100% correct, commemorating 2 necessary anti-terror operations against one of, if not the most evil army in the world who were brutalising our people up until a little over 20 years ago.
it will be forgotten about in a couple of days like all the other stuff used to try and attack sf, sf's voter base is growing and they will one day be in government.
remember ff and fg are 2 sides of the same type of politics ultimately.

They'll wheel it out again at the next election, along with Paul Quinn's family. That's all they stand for.

Taoiseach shocked and dismayed at Sinn Fein TDs tweet on IRA attacks

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