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Post by Harry on Jul 13, 2007 10:27:36 GMT
What support do these people have within republicanism??? What can be done to detract them from such things?? This only provides reasons for Loyalists not to give up any guns!!
Dissidents 'behind station blast'
Police say they believe dissident republicans planted a pipe bomb which exploded at the back of Strabane police station.
The device went off without warning at about 2115 BST on Thursday.
No-one was injured in the blast. A number of nearby properties were damaged and residents had to leave their homes for a time.
Chief Inspector Phil Marks said it was fortunate a murder investigation was not being conducted.
"In today's society we're all trying to move forward together and these people are quite clearly incapable of joining us," he said.
"It's a very small minority of people within the community and they're becoming more and more ostracised by the community."
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Post by An Fear Dubh on Jul 13, 2007 13:07:42 GMT
It is difficult to judge the support for armed struggle within republicanism while the open political struggle is still making progress. It is foolish to dismiss political critics as corner boys, it was not that long ago the Provisionals were similarly dismissed. It is obvious that the vast majority of republicans and the nationalists support the leadership of Adam/McGuiness and the political path they are attempting to negotiate.
As for Loyalism to use the excuse of dissident republicans being a threat. It is just that an excuse for Loyalism, and if 'dissidents' did not exist another excuse would be found. I see no reason for Loyalists to hold onto their weapons, but my only concern is they stay silent. They are not a bargaining chip for republicans, they are a milestone on the neck of loyalism.
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Post by An Fear Dubh on Jul 13, 2007 13:56:47 GMT
And the ones you do not know, are similarly tarred and dismissed with the sweeping brush stroke. But such casual dismissal does not counter the criticism, it just tries to dismiss the criticism by name calling hardly good political debate.
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Post by Harry on Jul 13, 2007 13:57:43 GMT
If republicans, be they mainstream or dissidents are still engagaing in acts of terror against British forces then some people will use this as a means to justify holding onto arms. Loyalists have nothing to gain from handing in any weapons and them remaining silent is the most important factor
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Post by Harry on Jul 13, 2007 18:38:08 GMT
Bomb hits home of IRA men's mum
Mrs Devine's home was hit by shrapnel
The house of the mother of two IRA men shot dead by the SAS in 1985 has been damaged in a pipe bomb attack on a police station in County Tyrone.
Police said they believe dissident republicans planted a pipe bomb which exploded behind Strabane PSNI station.
The device went off without warning at about 2115 BST on Thursday.
No-one was injured, but some houses were damaged, one of which belongs to Patsy Devine, 78, who suffered a stroke six years ago.
She is the mother of Michael and David Devine - two of three IRA men killed in an SAS ambush as they went to an arms dump in a field off Plumbridge Road in the town.
Damage was caused to houses behind the police station
Mrs Devine was inside with two of her daughters at the time of the attack, while three of her grandchildren, aged 4, 6 and 7 played outside.
"I think it's all terrible - what's it all for anyway?"
"There are only old people up here... I was pure shaken my legs went like jelly on me," she said.
Sinn Fein Councillor Brian McMahon said there was no appetite in the community for any sort of attack and the group behind the attack should "wake up to that".
"There's no support in the community for this grouping and they should stop right away," he said.
Chief Inspector Phil Marks said it was fortunate a murder investigation was not being conducted.
"In today's society we're all trying to move forward together and these people are quite clearly incapable of joining us," he said.
"It's a very small minority of people within the community and they're becoming more and more ostracised by the community."
Meanwhile, police said they have received a warning that a device has been abandoned between Ballymagorry and Magheramason near Strabane.
They said they were concerned "by the vagueness of the location provided" and are warning anyone who finds a suspect object in the area not touch it but to contact them immediately.
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