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Irish America stunned by RIRA attack
Monday, 9 March 2009
The killing of the two British soldiers has stunned supporters of the peace process in the United States.
Most major US papers including the Washington Post, New York Times, and LA Times carried reports about Saturday's killings both in their print and on-line editions. The attack was also covered by major electronic media outlets as well.
Congressman Peter King, a Republican from New York who has been a longtime supporter of Sinn Fein and the peace process, issued a statement saying: “I strongly condemn this cowardly and deadly attack.
“It is important that these murderers be brought to justice as quickly as possible.”
In a statement issued from Washington, Irish National Caucus president Sean McManus branded the killings a “terrible development”.
“I was so hopeful that Stephen Restorick, whose parents have shown such fortitude and dignity, would have been the last British soldier to be killed on Irish soil,” said Fermanagh-born Fr McManus
“It is so wrong and so crazy to have that happen now, as if there were no peace process.
“There is certainly no support among Irish-Americans for this terrible development.”
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph from his hometown of Philadelphia, Ancient Order of Hibernians president Seamus Boyle echoed Fr McManus’s sentiments.
“There would be no support among the Ancient Order of Hibernians for any of these splinter groups,” he said.
“This attack happens at a time when the peace process has been in place for about 10 years now, and people were just starting to get used to it.”
Mr Boyle said the AoH is “always concerned about the peace process because it is so fragile”, but he added that he believed dissidents will not succeed in derailing it.
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43 Comments
It is safe to say that many Irish Americans are split on this topic. I know that there are thousands of us who support an armed resistance, and realize that the peace process is NOT achieving, nor does it have the capacity to achieve the goals of a United Ireland entirely independent of England. It is wrong to say that "There is certainly no support among Irish-Americans for this terrible development." On the contrary, there is a large support for it (even a couple hundred supporters in my small town of Kalamazoo, Michigan).
Current American propaganda speaks poorly of those Irish Republicans still engaged in the armed struggle for their freedom; however, a majority of those who are well versed in the history of the armed campaign who understand that they are still continuing a struggle for ENTIRE independency and full unity, that cannot be achieved without an armed resistance. This is no different than the acts of guerilla warfare that freed America, not so long ago.
Posted by Shane Murphy | 10.04.09, 17:21 GMT
As joe mcdonnell once said.... " you dare to call me a terrorist while you look down your gun!" What did the british really expect? retaliation was almost certain! however that all belongs in the past now. Its obvious that an armed struggle is no longer the way to freeing ireland. Since 1921 it has been the at the forefront of irish nationalists. What has fighting for all those years actually achieved in gaining independence? innocent lives lost! more soldiers being deployed to the streets! With regards to republican aims there has been no great changes but the bitter secterian fueds that have claimed so many lives across ireland have been laid to rest. Not completely gone ofcourse but protestants and catholics can now live side by side in harmony. My great grandfather wasnt allowed to buy a peice of land in antrim because he was catholic! this is unheard of nowadays and so it should be. These dissidents are trying to throw the north back to a time most people want to forget.
Posted by celtic bhoy | 27.03.09, 22:59 GMT
seamus-the british moved into northern ireland in force in the mid 70s in response to CATHOLIC appeals for help.The IRA were too busy hiding.This did not exactly please some unionists.
This is not propoganda but fact.
re workplace discrimination why don't you ask employers why that was?
re history invasions etc read you own history
in the dark ages irish kings attacked scotland,wales and england.The scotti who overthrew the picts in scotland were actually irish.This is again historic fact.
Mark Avons
Posted by mark avons | 16.03.09, 05:33 GMT
further to the americans who say we should withdraw from ireland-i ask you this question.If the canadians and the french canadians started killing each other and planting bombs,Intimidating and throwing missiles at schoolkids of the 'other'side would you not intervene?
Especially if the conflict spilled onto your own soil.
Please please don't lecture us on 'imperialism',you americans have gone well beyond the wildest dreams of any british imperialist
To the people of ireland
Do you really expect big companies and multinationals to invest in NI until they see the situation change for the better permently?
Regards
Mark
England
atheist english nationalist
Posted by mark avons | 16.03.09, 05:15 GMT
i find irish americans take a very simplistic view of what is a complex situation in NI.Murder is wrong period.
Osama bin laden and members of the IRA are murderers pure and simple.No side can justify what they've done in the 'cause'
Do people in america forget that the IRA linked bank raid?
Forget a united ireland its a pipe dream,sensible people in the south don't want unification with the deeply divided and troubled north.Unification would be expensive-don't ask us english to pay for it.
Contrary to what many americans believe more english want to break up the union than scots,welsh and irish.We currently subsidise the NI economy to the tune of billions.Brown won't give us a precise figure-i guess its too embarassing.
Many english believe (me included)that the union if it remains needs serious reform.
I repeat myself any country is in my opinion welcome to leave the union if 51% of the people say they want to do so in a free vote.
Mark
England
Posted by mark avons | 16.03.09, 04:55 GMT
Northern Ireland is no longer a nazi state. This violence is just out of order.
Posted by sea | 14.03.09, 23:59 GMT
In the 70s, 80s and 90s there was strong backing among the Irish in the U.S (and their friends) for a just peace in the North of Ireland - to the chagrin of Dáil Éireann. The 'Irish' government boycotted the 85 NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade because Sinn Féin supporter Peter King was the Grand Mashal.
King was elected to Congress a few years later and played a major role in the Peace Process. Irish Americans fervently hope that G.F.A. will hold -and are firmly opposed to violence of any kind.
Posted by Seán MacCurtain | 12.03.09, 16:04 GMT
Wow Séamus Ó Braonáin , truelly romantic, you'd think nothing had changed , like there was no republicain voice at stormont,like all republicains where third class citizans and it was honerable to be a freedom fighter. Hiding in the shadows blowing up and shooting policemen and soldiers and anyone else who got in the way,The IRA Ruling republician and nationlist aeras with heavy fists and fear, if only the british would go home and take all the infastructor,National health service, money, jobs and all the rest of the good stuff away.
I'm not so sure that the south could support us here in northern Ireland nor would they want to try.United Ireland is a lost cause anyway , we're all gonna be ruled from brussels soon if not already and really what would be so different ??? paid in euros?? higher taxes?? loosing the rich cross boarder trade?? gardi instead of psni??I'm happy the way we are now execpt for these dissanants who are trying to put the whole country back 30 years
Posted by paul | 12.03.09, 15:07 GMT
I know no one in the Chicago Irish American community that views these events as anything other than terrribly depressing. It is our fondest hope that peace prevails. For all of us. We are greatly heartened by the wondrous demonstration of community we see there in response to these horrible events and it serves as a great example for us. We are with you and your hopes.
Posted by Ed McGuinness | 12.03.09, 04:14 GMT
Séamus Ó Braonáin,
You dont actually believe all of that do you? I can just feel the dust rising from your tired old cliches. Perhaps its time to realise that it might be you in denial rather than Irish America.
Posted by SteveW | 11.03.09, 14:24 GMT
Frisk,
Well said. I'm surprised that Ireland, a country that was on the receiving end of bigotry for over 800 years, can actually now produce bigots of their own. Not all 40 million Irish-Americans fit into their all-to-easy stereotype. Maybe some of them will understand this once and for all.
Posted by Irish-American New Jersey | 11.03.09, 13:21 GMT
Why are people of African/Middle Eastern/Latin American/ etc permitted to identify with their heritage and ancestor's culture, but Irish, Italians, and Russians are not? And why is it okay to make blanket generalizations about Americans, Irish or otherwise? I'm an American of Irish descent who does not support the IRA, and (to answer Sean's comment) was arrested multiple times protesting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am not a stereotype, I am a human being. Please try to treat me, as well as other Americans, Irish or otherwise, as such.
Posted by Frisk | 11.03.09, 07:42 GMT
Are all Irish-Americans in denial ..... the peace process? What is it? When the freedom struggle began in 1968, the Irish Republicans were forced by Unionist terrorism to campaign for seperation from England. Fifty years of suppression and denial of basic human rights left no other way. All the world powers refused to recognise our national aspirations. We were denied a hearing at the UN by the Anglo-American veto. A few brave men and women struggled on, against the mighty English war machine. They were branded "terrorists". English propaganda eroded world support for the Irish freedom struggle. Sinn Féin leadership was co-opted by threats and bribery. Sinn Féin abandoned the struggle in exchange for empty promises, the "peace process" and seats in the colonial Stormount Parliament--a parliament they once had vowed to smash. The people of Ireland were coerced by the English and the Americans, in a referendum to vote away six counties, which are the core of our spirituality and culture
Posted by Séamus Ó Braonáin | 11.03.09, 01:19 GMT
of course there are still bristish army bases in northern ireland. that is because it is part of the united kingdom and as every other part of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland have army bases, then why wouldnt there be any in northern ireland?
Posted by beverley | 10.03.09, 23:39 GMT
Chicago, Yes Sir! - of course any (Orange marches included) gatherings should be re-considered/re-organised,etc - if they are a few days after these funerals. It seems like common sense.
As long as all Politicians and community groups take full involvement in any festivities next week - they have more authority to control people, and understand sensitivies.
Apologies if my post was understood as incendiary language. I hadn't even thought of it as such until you mentioned it. You are right that some outsiders or aggressive people might misread it. Thanks for pointing it out.
Maybe the nasty people behind these murders will have been found in the next few days anyway? The PSNI are pulling out all the stops.
Posted by R | 10.03.09, 23:04 GMT
Can this sort of gang-style violence really threaten the peace process? I mean, really? Remember to watch the road ahead; complaining about the view you already passed and constantly looking back will only land you in a ditch.
Posted by wchris | 10.03.09, 22:55 GMT
America suffered it's own terrorist murderers on 9/11 and as some of the comments indicate they learned the lesson in a hard way. It was not going to be as easy for the I.R.A. to raise funds and ship guns from America. Now America would clamp down on all terrorist groups. This is truly how America has helped the peace process.
Posted by Michael Henderson | 10.03.09, 22:40 GMT
Irish america includes both generic white folk with Irish names and recent immigrants and their families. In this area, most active republicans are Irish born, esp. youngish northerners. Even the most hard core amongst them have worked hard to maintain this peace process. CIRA have no support.
Posted by Eileen | 10.03.09, 19:10 GMT
R, you've made the same post in a number of places about idiots waving the tricolour on St. Patrick's Day. This is no different from the Orange marches to come. Should they be called off too? People using incendiary language like yours will help ensure more incidents to come. People who fall into the trap set by these provocateurs are aiders and abettors of treason.
There are morons just below the surface on both sides who would love nothing better than to politicize89 their sad personal resentments and failures and take them out into the streets. I trust most people will be smart enough not to let their chains be pulled by these psychos.
Posted by Chicago | 10.03.09, 16:06 GMT
Michael,
Very well said, both posts. You (and I) are a perfect counter to their claims that Irish-Americans are nothing but a bunch of third-generation plastic-paddies that know nothing about the north.
When in doubt, blame America. Obviously they've selectedly forgotten about George Mitchell's contributions (amongst others) to their fragile peace.
And your response to Wendy R's "Rose McGowan" comment was spot-on!
Posted by Irish-American New Jersey | 10.03.09, 15:06 GMT
43 Comments