Little-known republican group warns of more violence
Thursday, 16 July 2009
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A republican splinter group has defended the rioters who rampaged through north Belfast and has warned of further violence.
The Republican Network for Unity denied orchestrating the disturbances but said that the Ardoyne rioters were right to express their “anger and frustration” at the heavy police presence in the area on Monday and Tuesday night.
Ronan Moyne of the RNU said that a number of the party’s activists were in the area on Monday night to initiate a peaceful protest and to engage with youths who were “agitated” at the heavy police presence.
“The simple fact is that there were no ‘bogey men’ no ‘paramilitary godfathers’ encouraging, orchestrating or facilitating the youth of Ardoyne to riot.
“These youths were incensed at the encroachment of the PSNI/RUC and the imminent arrival of the Orange Order - and responded by attempting to force the RUC/PSNI out of their community,” he said.
Mr Moyne added: “If they felt this way, which they clearly did, then the Republican Network for Unity believes that they were right to resist.
“Until these youths are engaged with in a meaningful fashion, not demonised, until we have nationalist communities free from triumphalist, supremacist marches and a British paramilitary ‘police’ force, we will have scenes such as those witnessed not only in Ardoyne but throughout the six counties over the past two nights.”
Tensions remained high in north Belfast last night following two nights of rioting. Officers came under sustained attack during several hours of violence on Tuesday night and 21 officers were injured on Monday night.
North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness said those responsible offer nothing positive to communities.
“We have seen it all before and have witnessed the utter devastation that it caused to all members of the community.
“A clear message must be sent to them that they will not deter policing change or prevent the essential work of police men and women,” he said.
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To USA. I am not telling you to refrain from commenting. There is a right to free speech. So I am equally entitled to say "Spare me your comments". That is not saying do not comment.
The OO has been using the main Crumlin Road to return to the Ligoneil area for years and is seen as the traditional route. There can be no reasonable comparitor with a republican march up the Shankill. The Ardoyne shops are a public area.
I accept your point about "legal".
I am genuinely sorry to hear about the attack on your family.
Posted by lumina | 20.07.09, 14:33 GMT
Posted by lumina; FYI the Crumlin Road is a main public highway and the OO parade was sanctioned by the Parades Commission, thus making it legal.
FYI lumina my friend, the Shankill is also main public highway, if republican's applied and were granted a permit to march on Shankill when they felt it is right to do so it would also be legal. When we look back at our history we know because it is tagged "legal" is not always the right thing to do.
Posted by USA | 17.07.09, 11:57 GMT
lumina posts; Dear USA, if you live there or are an American, spare me your comments.,,,,Dear lumina please refrain from telling me when to comment. Yes I now live in the USA. I now live in the USA for my children's sake after the loyalist brethren attempted unsuccessfully to murder my family including my three and four yr old children as the slept in their beds @ 3 am 1974. I will comment when and where I'm invited to do so.
Posted by USA | 17.07.09, 11:19 GMT
Len what do you know about culture? Generally speaking the only time an Orange march is contentious is when hate filled bigots go out of their way to attack parades, obviously this will raise tension within the marchers and some may respond or try and wind the hate merchants up, you have know idea about the culture within the Unionist community, in many ways it is similar to tradional Irish culture but with a Scottish hint to it, your just another gullible creature thats been fed lies and hate by your Republican masters who lack tolerance. Since when did Republicans 'own' the Crumlin Road?
Posted by pete | 17.07.09, 10:21 GMT
As a supporter of the Republican Unity Network I would wish to disassociate myself from the aims and objectives of the Republican Network for Unity
Posted by Mr P.Lopsey | 16.07.09, 23:11 GMT
I dont know of another civilised society on the planet that would put up with 3000 marches every year that cost upwards of 5 miilion pounds to police and cause many more millions in clean up besides causing irreperable and continuous damage to the society at large.It's very obvious that for the north of Ireland to have a peaceful society then these severely contentious and provocative marches will have to stop.
Posted by mik | 16.07.09, 18:20 GMT
Make no mistake; this is not about a parade! This is about a power struggle within republicanism, where sinister elements use these young people as pawns in their dangerous games. We have a society of young adults who have been conditioned to be anti-establishment for many years by the likes of Sinn Fein, when it suited them. Now we have a situation that they have created an animal which they can no longer control and left a void in society for dissidents to fill these young adults heads full of myths and a romanticised view of an arm struggle of days gone past. This only ended with several thousand people being killed and families and communities being destroyed. Sinn Fein talk about ending sectarianism now, they want to look at their own community and what they have created over 30 years of conflict. Where are the community workers in Ardoyne and Sinn Fein when this community is getting destroyed and the people of the area live in fear from these hoods??????????
Posted by G | 16.07.09, 15:43 GMT
Dear USA, if you live there or are an American, spare me your comments. I recall the treatment over the years of the native Americans at the hands of your countrymen. FYI the Crumlin Road is a main public highway and the OO parade was sanctioned by the Parades Commission, thus making it legal.
To Sean Dhraigheain, the PSNI is impossible to get into for Catholics due to the immoral 50/50 rule. If half the intake is not RC it does not proceed until it is.
Billy, well stated.
Posted by lumina | 16.07.09, 14:21 GMT
Just to show how tolerance works the loyalist community should join with the OO and invite die-hard republicans/bands led by Sinn Fein to march up and down the Shankill Rd to feel the same heart warming experience the OO get marching up the Crumlin /Ardoyne This should go a long way to solving our problems. I advise; lead by examples and showing your love, not by criticizing your fellow country men is the answer.
Posted by USA | 16.07.09, 13:03 GMT
"The Republican Network for Unity... said that the Ardoyne rioters were right to express their “anger and frustration” at the heavy police presence in the area on Monday and Tuesday night."
I usually express my anger and frustration by, I don't know... writing a letter, sending an email, picking up the phone and having a chat... not attacking, murdering and causing serious damage. Why don't the Republican Network for Unity teach these people how to read and write instead of throw bombs and kill.
Posted by kate | 16.07.09, 12:24 GMT
Ronan, you are a disgrace to Republicans. The PSNI is almost impossible to get into for protestants. Many of the men trying to control these thugs were catholics from the North. Face it, even if it was the laconic Gardai, you wouldn't respect them. You are not very bright and would start a fight in a phonebox.
Posted by Sean Dhraigheain | 16.07.09, 11:28 GMT
Just a few points.
Ms McAleese, why are you giving these pariahs the "oxygen of publicity" by reporting Moyne's meaningless spew.
Len, a peaceful "united" Ireland is not predicated on the removal of the OO. The people banging the drums could say for you to get a life. Your trite and somewhat romantic vision of a future Ireland at peace is most unhelpful. The solutions will involve very difficult sacrifices and decisions for all of us, not just one section of the Community.
Posted by Thos | 16.07.09, 11:09 GMT
RUC/PSNI encroachment!!! What utter nonsense this man is spewing. The PSNI are the upholders of law and have a right to go into any area to prevent this sort of behaviour. I'll ask the question again - did the Orange Order march down Brompton Park and round the Ardoyne estate before returning home via the Crumlin Road or did they attempt to get home via the only main road back to their own area? Republican hatred of anything British/Unionist/Loyalist has been on display for the world to see and no amount of blame or passing the buck will disguise this. Shame on them!!!!
Posted by Billy | 16.07.09, 10:39 GMT
Throwing bricks and petrol bombs at protestants walking home from their day of culture is a disgrace if this was to happen to catholics on saint paddys day the media woud bang on about it for weeks
Posted by bill | 16.07.09, 09:57 GMT
Moyne, get over yourself .
You and your ilk belong in the dark ages.
I’m quite sure the majority of people in Ardoyne, don’t want the likes you hanging around.
Posted by Chris | 16.07.09, 08:10 GMT
I wasn't there but I think it's outrageous that these orange marches are given a green light. They are bigoted, hate-filled demonstrations of backwardness, insensitivity and lack of culture. The sooner we have a united country, the sooner the people of all Ireland will enjoy harmony and peace, for peace-loving Irishmen and women have no desire to annoy pent-up foolish bigots with no cause or identity. And the people concerned with banging drums will cease and get a life instead.
Posted by Len | 16.07.09, 07:58 GMT