I.R.A. claim double bomb attack

[quirk]

The following is a statement given to a Newry paper by a spokesperson for Óglaigh na hÉireann (whom the media refer to as the Real IRA) and forwarded anonymously to a member of the editorial board of The Sovereign Nation.

"On Sunday 15th July an active service unit of Óglaigh na hÉireann planted a bomb in the Upper Fathom Road area of Newry in the vicinity of the railway line. A booby trapped anti personnel device was also left in the area with the intention of killing members of the RUC/PSNI, only they know how lucky they were. We reiterate our call to civilians to keep their distance from crown force personnel and facilities as more IRA attacks are imminent"

[quirk]

PSNI investigate dissident republican phone threats

THE police are investigating claims of responsibility from dissident republicans in relation to two bombs planted in Newry last month.

The bombs were discovered in the Upper Fathom Road area on July 15, with the alert leading to the scene being closed for two days, while cross-border rail services were also disrupted.

In calls made to several businesses in the city on Friday afternoon, a man purporting to represent a dissident republican group said that an active service unit had planted a bomb on the Upper Fathom Road close to the railway line.

He then stated that a booby trapped anti-personnel device was also left in the area with the intention of killing police officers, adding that “only they know how lucky they were”. Members of the public were warned “to keep their distance from Crown forces, personnel and facilities as more attacks are imminent”.

Following the calls, a police spokeswoman has asked members of the public in Newry to report any suspicious activity immediately.

“No firm threat or warning is issued in these phone calls and we believe that they’re an attempt to disrupt the excellent police work being carried out and the strong links with the local community that are being forged,” the spokeswoman went on.

“Police will not be swayed by this activity and will continue to robustly tackle crime in the area with the help of the local community.”
newrydemocrat.com/news/story.asp?j=7999&cat=news

[Papa C.]

I wonder what Martin and Gerry will have to say about these trouble makers

[john]

God bless Ireland and those who actively are in defence of the nation. Treasonists and Brits out !!

[RedFlag32]

I dont agree with this.Serves no purpose.

[quirk]

I think it does serve a purpose in that it highlights the abnormality of the situation in the north and the fact that there is not really peace. It also shows people that the RUC are still targets for republicans and as such they should keep their distance. Only a pity that they never set off the booby trap.

[RedFlag32]

quirk said:

I think it does serve a purpose in that it highlights the abnormality of the situation in the north and the fact that there is not really peace. It also shows people that the RUC are still targets for republicans and as such they should keep their distance. Only a pity that they never set off the booby trap.

I thnk the state of republicanism in general today can put us in an awkward position where we want to support any strike at the British even if we disagree with the tactic.

I agree, it does show that the RUC ar still targets, it also counters the normalisation process but we have to look at the wider picture. The IRA are not capable of carrying out a campaign that will defeat the British, they know this also. Im sure they have settled for a handfull of these operations a year to show that the armed tactic hasnt gone away, but that doesnt cut it for me.

Violence has to be used as a tool,it is a dangerous tool which brings suffering o both sides of conflict,it should not be glorified and should only be used when it is guaranteed to be successfull. This wishy washy use of a dangerous revolutionary weapon is too inconsiderate for me.

I dont want to take away from the Vols in anyway,im sure they are doing ewhat they think is correct,andthey may be,but im intitled to my opinion and i think it is counter to the ideals of republicans. It only turs the working cass against us and puts more republicans in jail eventually.

[Papa C.]

I mentioned it before and I still think the best way forward is through revolutionary unionism and I think that gains the most support (because you're supporting working people) and has the most potenital for a future revolution (as you're educating whilst fighting). Although I agree with targeting forces of the crown, I'm not sure that small attacks are the way forward but I can see why some would. Revolutionary Unionism has the best chance of gaining support from loyalist areas also which would be a good support to have from a anti-british propaganda perspective.

[RedFlag32]

admin said:

I mentioned it before and I still think the best way forward is through revolutionary unionism and I think that gains the most support (because you're supporting working people) and has the most potenital for a future revolution (as you're educating whilst fighting). Although I agree with targeting forces of the crown, I'm not sure that small attacks are the way forward but I can see why some would. Revolutionary Unionism has the best chance of gaining support from loyalist areas also which would be a good support to have from a anti-british propaganda perspective.

Syndicalism is indeed a very important part of the struggle for socialism, but by itself it is useless. Protestants who hold a unionist opinion would have no problem uniting with their catholic counter parts in a struggle for a better wage but they would soon withdraw that support once partition was discussed. Its happened before,where the OO was used to break strikes ect.. We have to find a way to build community comradeship in the 6 counties whilst also pushing the prtition issue.

[Papa C.]

Point taken comrade but if you convince the working class that the Government are there as oppressors and that they are the enemy then partition goes along with it. They may (rightfully) call for the dismantling of the Irish Government also but this is what Republican Socialists would support.

Look at the support we've had on these boards from people who grew up in a loyalist part of the community and considering there's a small number of people that regularly post here it's a high percentage. I'm sure there is a good number of socialists living in areas like this who are afraid to make their views known and that's exactly the way the British Government want to keep it.

I suppose I'm looking at it from a fairly idealistic point of view as there would need to be huge support for the Revolutionary Unionism. For instance, a 10-person 'cross community' union aren't going to spark a revolution.

Let's not forget that there are a lot of people in the south who support the British stance over a Republican or socialist one also and they are not necessarily Unionist either.

[dangeresque]

agree with redflag on the points about syndicalism and armed struggle.

if straightforward workers unity could win the struggle, there'd be no reason for republicanism, but partition has warped class politics.

it's amazing no members of the occupation forces have been killed by the RIRA. Though there's no doubt a lot of heroic and self sacrificing vol's in their ranks, it seems there must be quite a few informers foiling their op's as well.