Brexit: Does it threaten peace in Northern Ireland? - BBC Newsnight

Newsnight explores how #Brexit could impact the United Kingdom.
Subscribe to our channel here: goo.gl/31Q53F
In the second instalment of our State of the Union series we head to Northern Ireland to hear how communities there feel about Brexit negotiations.
UK correspondent Elizabeth Glinka reports.
Produced by Mihret Yohannes.
Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.
Website: www.bbc.co.uk/newsnight
Twitter: / bbcnewsnight
Facebook: / bbcnewsnight

[@Kwippy]

How quickly some people forget about the dark days of The Troubles. The innocent lives lost, Belfast looking like a war zone occupied by heavily armed British soldiers, the deep enmity and division which seemed to have no solution. What ever benefit Brexit might bring, it is not worth the price if that price is loss of peace in Ireland.

[@FarsightAE]

If there is a threat of a border then I honestly think Northern Ireland should break away from the UK and unify with the rest of Ireland as an autonomous region with self rule. Nationalism and pride isn't worth it if innocent people will end up dying for nothing.

[@leemondez]

@MR .TEA. If you ask the DUP if they are Irish you might be surprised at the answer you get. It is indeed not a case of "Irish throwing stones at each other"

[@baukebaljeu8636]

MR .TEA. From a Leave perspective, NI costs us more than our (erstwhile?) membership of the EU. Let’s cede NI to the RoI and get rid of it altogether

[@mum2jka]

This has been my biggest fear with Brexit. Still is. And those who are spouting 'just unify Ireland' really and truly do not understand at all. If Brexit is allowed to continue and happen, violence will be the result, I have no doubts about that :(

[@rosshilton]

So the problem is with the Uk and not the IRA terrorists who were murdering and maiming with impunity, and with the tacit support of the South?

[@vercoda9997]

I’m from a Border area, and grew up during The Troubles. Whether there is or isn’t a Border, and whatever difficulties that may arise from one, or from any deal, or no deal, there’s only one thing that the vast majority of people on this shared island would say: there is never, EVER, a justification for violence. Whether you’re a Republican terrorist, or a Loyalist terrorist, you’re ultimately just a terrorist - patently Not a ‘freedom fighter’ or ‘standing up for your community’ or any of the usual utter shite that some apologists try to say - you’re responsible for your own actions. Anyone, of any outlook, who turns to violence in Northern Ireland (or provides support for same from the Republic of Ireland) - particularly when the near absolute majority of every other citizen does not - is a thug at best, a terrorist at worst.

[@JohnDoe-vz7bn]

Ver Coda fuck up

[@ATLmodK]

The word terrorist does mean freedom fighter to many people, which is why there really can’t be a war on terror. Although I can agree with you on using the word thug.

[@1dkappe]

It’s ironic that for unionists the biggest threat isn’t Irish nationalists anymore but rather English nationalists.

[@jcjc4158]

The biggest threat has always been (British Nationalists) Little British fascists, UDA, UVF, SHANKILL BUTCHERS, RED HAND COMMANDO, The DUP, are just the political wing, of Loyalist Paramilitaries. Unionists in NI have as much to lose outside Europe as Nationalists.

[@infobeam1902]

JC JC Them tears are hilarious. Here’s a wee hanky m8

[@eammmonlyons6729]

exactly, the ancestors of these unionists are stabbing thm in th bak

[@brendanm4179]

Fair play to that woman from the Shankhill. She speaks sense.

[@OhEidirsceoil]

Aye, weird for an ex UDA woman. Maybe there is hope. Good that she saw sense eventually

[@phantomthiefirwin9631]

NI once again getting treated like a nuisance and a literal red headed step child. Reunification needs to be brought back onto the table. Regardless of how Prot or Brit or Unionist you feel. You cannot justify how badly Westminster has treated your country.

[@bobloblaw3191]

The IRA terrorised us and targeted our civilians. For this reason there will never be a peaceful unification. You said reunification but the only time Ireland was unified was as a part of the UK. I doubt that's what you're referring to

[@phantomthiefirwin9631]

@@bobloblaw3191 Everyone always talks about the IRA but no one ever seems to bring up the UVF. Which also targetted civilians.

[@pm3157]

Bob Loblaw hunny, it really is not difficult to comprehend. Do you understand what the term reunify means? Ireland was unified as an entire island. When the republic gained its independence the island partitioned. Reunification means the republic and north join back together. Nobody has brought up unification under a particular rule. I think you just have too much time on your hands so you come on KZbin comment sections looking for arguments. It’s honestly a sad existence but if that’s all your life is worth then there’s not much we can do about it

[@pm3157]

Phantom Thief Irwin he doesn’t possess the intelligence to comprehend simple logical facts. He is just a sad little man living in his own deluded biased sectarian mindset. Says a lot about the people who failed to raise him.

[@bobloblaw3191]

@@pm3157 OK then, let's 'reunify' the Island again within the UK. I completely agree

[@alanmarr3323]

It would be tragic if Brexit made the Troubles come back!

[@everready2903]

The deal agreed puts the border down the Irish sea.

[@RobertK1993]

Richard Schiffman English caused it in 1609 Ulster Plantation you reap what you sow.

[@ATLmodK]

@@RobertK1993 you can actually go back to 1169 when Henry Ii wanted to conquer Ireland to give something to his poor little boy John (Lackland).

[@zippers987]

3:00 that dog is so buff

[@BatTaz19]

Brits Out, problem solved.

[@bobloblaw3191]

What exactly does that entail?

[@BatTaz19]

@@bobloblaw3191 2 words, in English and you're struggling to comprehend the meaning? No wonder so many of you think that the universe is 6,000 to 10,000yrs old! Centuries of inbreeding comes with a price.

[@bobloblaw3191]

@@BatTaz19 So you haven't thought this far ahead eh? What does Brits out mean to you?

[@adampatterson4857]

What does 'Brits out' mean then? You don't even know yourself ya knob head haha

[@BatTaz19]

@@bobloblaw3191 It encapsulates the suggestion that the British army/state should vacate from a foreign country. "Brits" is short for British. "Out" is Latin for, 'fuck away off with yourself'.

[@niallmartin9063]

A United Northern Ireland first. Then whatever the people decide. A United Northern Ireland first.

[@DasGrosseFressen]

Why doesn't NI hold a referendum whether to stay in the UK or not? 😂

[@kernan.e8308]

Ruans Jutz we have been asking for one since 1921

[@baukebaljeu8636]

Eh.. there was a plebiscite in British Ireland in the 70’s. It was boycotted by the Croppies back then.. anyone know why?

[@pietro.pirozzi]

@@kernan.e8308 it does mean anything there were a referendum for joining in the EU IN 1975

[@JMBPro]

Because we're not Irish, we're Northern Irish; and being apart of the UK holds that as our Identification.

[@BatTaz19]

@@JMBPro Northern Ireland is an artificial construct.

[@scubardiveshop1389]

I think for Brexit to be acceptable, they should have made the rule that all 4 nations must vote to leave, not what happened, only 2 out 4.... Didn't they see the division would happen before allowing such a vote?

[@malcolmmcgregor8]

Has anyone asked Ireland whether they want the English subsidised Northern Ireland.

[@OhEidirsceoil]

That's what a reunity ref will ask

[@taipizzalord4463]

Not English subsidised London and the SE subsidised

[@samjquillen]

If the UK can’t get a deal for the Irish border, they should just unilaterally not enforce any border/customs security anyway. We’ll either avoid the problem, or else the other side will finally be seen to be doing their share causing division in Ireland

[@bobloblaw3191]

That's precisely the stated plan by both Ireland and the UK. The only entity who will enforce a border is the EU

[@yermanoffthetelly]

If the UK can't strike a deal there will be customs and security checks at ports and airports, Boris Johnson has openly stated this. A no deal does not absolve the UKs responsibilitiea under the Good Friday Agreement. The border will be moved to the Irish sea unless a majority in *Stormont* vote to put up a hard border which will now never happen because of demographic trends and the integration of the north into the all island economy.

[@baukebaljeu8636]

That’s it. This is intractable whatever deal Boris manages to drag through the commons. Why can’t we vote to ditch NI and yank it out of the UK? I’ve heard it said that we pay more to keep NI than we paid into the EU. Let’s get rid of both

[@DasGrosseFressen]

TROLL ALARM!

[@kieransavage3835]

We need to get things ironed out..

[@darraghmckinney529]

35 and under don't remember the brit soldiers? Catch yourself on mucker because I remember them clear as day. Pointing guns at me and my muckers when we were playing football in the street. Aside from that, the nationalist fight was against a union of nations, so I wish the brits all the best in their ambitions to leave the EU empire.

[@FruitCakeReaper]

Its true. Im under 35 and remember when the border was still patrolled and an army checkpoint. I also remember the army laying in ditches with their m16s. Constant helicopters and dozens of them walking through fields and ruining farmers properties. It hasnt been that long...... last British Army in NI was only 2007.

[@bobloblaw3191]

@@FruitCakeReaper Away and don't talk a loada shite. British army with their M16s? You eejit. The only ones with M16s were the IRA because they were smuggled in by their American supporters

[@bobloblaw3191]

@@FruitCakeReaper You may have gotten the gun wrong or you were just making it all up. Who knows

[@paulduffy4585]

@@bobloblaw3191 Is that you? Why do you keep changing your name? The vast majority of what I read in these comment sections is rational and tolerant. With the exception of two or three names, flinging their bile all over the place. Obviously you never lived through the troubles if you think it's a joke, just something to troll. If you have something to say, then stand by it.

[@bobloblaw3191]

@@paulduffy4585 Is it me? Yes it's me. Something you don't agree with means I'm trolling?

[@eclecticx]

Ben Laughry (sp?) needs to realize something. You say, "Please don't forget about us." to Boris, Boris interprets that as a sign of weakness. Johnson is a bully above all else. Bullies only understand and respect strength.

[@mango2005]

Its "Lowry"

[@ATLmodK]

I think it threatens peace or at least causes economic problems for all of Great Britain

[@fredcapp40]

Too much news, tv, media etc etc thats the real problem

[@kieransavage100]

Norn Ironed is a special place…so it is…..

[@michaeldepaor6844]

United Ireland is the only way forward, Britain is going to abandon you the troubles are over the republic is the only way forward.

[@michaeldepaor6844]

@michael ojeda much respect ✊ 🇮🇪🇲🇽

[@tehmujin5330]

I am rooting for Northern Ireland free from England brutal colonization. Love you from Hong Kong. Keep fighting, never give up. No freedom no peace.

[@markmorgan9849]

Love fron lreland never gave up freedom for all

[@adampatterson4857]

Fuck you northern ireland is british 🇬🇧

[@onlyonealanlancasterstatus810]

Hong Kong to Busy killing and hurting dogs and eating them. Fuck off yellow skin

[@FruitCakeReaper]

@@adampatterson4857 Great Britian AND Northern Ireland. Look at your passport. You arent British to the British if you were born and live in Ireland.

[@adampatterson4857]

@@FruitCakeReaper exactly you spastic the 'UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITIAN AND NORTHERN IRELAND' we are british you complete clown hahahahaha let me break that down for you.. that means british citizens are either english, scottish, welsh, or northern irish you absolute whopper 😂😂😂

[@milianozuniga-deanda4955]

Why would you wanna stay in a country that didn't even CONSIDER you into such a critical period!? I'd fucking leave. A united Ireland is going to happen sooner or later, get on with it now because the "United Kingdom" is clearly not united anymore.

[@cianryan684]

Educating children, educating each other and talking to resolve barriers will win out. Cool heads will prevail

[@keiranp0dbenn559]

As long as there's people Over 50yrs old in N.I. Politics, Cian, there won't be "Cool Heads" - this wee part of Ireland has always provide folks in who "Hot Headed" is the Default settings and, sadly, only too easily led ! For Ordinary people, the plea hs always been "God Help Us !" Sadly God ain't listening yet !! 😔😞😟

[@masudaahmed7990]

When the uk is not sticking to its end of the deal of course people will do something

[@jedhawkins1769]

Ireland is Irish. The Protestants can still have their British ways, but they're gonna have to deal with a united, independent Ireland.

[@bobloblaw3191]

Ireland is already United and independent. It's right there on the other side of the Northern Ireland border. Well, as independent as you can be as a vassal state of the EU

[@bobloblaw3191]

@Paulo Chan The British Isles

[@bobloblaw3191]

@Paulo Chan Another enlightened Nationalist 😆 Tell us more about how smart you are and how dumb the rest of us are. How much self esteem have you lost for this to be your crutch. These counties are on the island of Ireland. The Island is split between the UK and the Irish Republic. Happy now?

[@bobloblaw3191]

@Paulo Chan I was born on the Island of Ireland and I am British because I was born in the UK. Does this break your logic compiler? "How can this beeee! It says Ireland on my beginners map of the world"

[@bobloblaw3191]

@Paulo Chan And I thought you were supposed to be more educated than me on this subject. Northern Ireland is a part of the UK you see. If you're born there you are a British citizen by birthright and says so on your British passport. Should I point you to some sources or can you find them?

[@ThomasTheWankEngine1]

In March, the UK was going to Leave... In June, the UK was going to Leave... Did it? On the 31st of October, the UK is going to Leave??? Really... Even if it does this is the UK's outcome... Seems like there is more project fear on the leavers side from what am watching and reading. It will be what the politicians decide either way, not the will of the people. Call it unfortunate or unfortunate that is your opinion. I take neither side as both options, Leave or Remain are fecked. The most serious position the so called UK finds itself in, is the double bind. Whichever option it takes means it's fecked. Leavers say it retakes control of its borders, what with I ask? Aircraft carriers without airplanes. So called illegal entry is taking place right now. So why by leaving will it stop? They will still travel the same paths of entry used right now. Nancy Pelosi has said, if the Backstop is tampered with, trade with the US will stop. Remember the Democrats control the House of Representatives not the Republicans. The EU will not trade with the UK. No other countries will supply what those to countries do as their limits of production are set and they don't want to offer any more demand of UK production than what there already existing limits require. Russia will be laughing at British army and navy, rubbing it's hands. The EU will punish the UK for being the naughty student. Ireland unites as the North are remainers. Scotland leaves and takes the fish, gas and oil. Wales gets pissed of at the English for starting all the shit. Wales cedes and joins the EU. Leaving England on its own. A nation that cannot feed itself and has no access to the two new, Silk Roads China is building. Gas supplies from the Ukraine are stopped. and England starves and freezes to its end. If on the same faces of the "double bind coin" is chosen to Remain, it gets punished forever and is locked into the Euro and l'armée européenne. Massive sanctions for being naughty. So all in all. It's fecked. Not good or bad news. Just facts. Well done for voting for others to have total control in EVERYTHING you do and power OVER you. That is called government. It's sh1t. Try and look into Minarchy instead.

[@simonhadley8829]

American here. North Ireland seems to be treated by the British government the same way we treat Puerto Rico, American Samoa and other territories. Yeah, they're technically under U.S. jurisdiction and we enjoy the tax money that comes from them but otherwise we (our government) don't really give a damn about them and are viewed as a nuisance. The three main border counties seem to have the most to gain from reunification so maybe they should do that and leave the other three to the U.K. to sort out. That would give incentive to the remaining counties to reunify.

[@bobloblaw3191]

If they didn't care about them then why did they start Operation Banner to protect them which was also the longest British army deployment in history

[@simonhadley8829]

@@bobloblaw3191 Because governments are loathe to give up their territory, even if it's the equivalent of pulling a bad tooth. Also, governments can't admit when they've made a bad decision and will keep pressing on well beyond the expiration date.

[@bobloblaw3191]

@@simonhadley8829 Exactly what bad decision? Government switches every few years so it's hardly a steady metric of hundreds of years

[@simonhadley8829]

@@bobloblaw3191 I'm speaking on bad decisions in general. Look at the U.S. and our venture into Vietnam or the so called war on terror. Going back in history look at parliament's heavy handed treatment and taxation of the American colonies in order to pay the expense of the Seven Years War. That ended up starting a new war which eventually lost them the colonies. If parliament had backed off a bit or tried something different maybe we wouldn't have revolted but getting the juggernaut of government to change direction on policy is very difficult if not outright impossible.

[@bobloblaw3191]

@@simonhadley8829 Difference being that the majority in Northern Ireland wish to remain as part of the UK. Through the UN convention of self determination this is what will remain. If they vote to join Ireland then that's what will happen. The suggestion you made about splitting Northern Ireland to put pressure on the remaining counties to switch their sovereignty would have the opposite affect. We do things by vote and those counties you mentioned are where the majority of Unionists reside. You would loose any chance of a majority vote to join Ireland and we would continue to hear the boring songs of oppression

[@eamonnsiocain6454]

As long as there is *_neither_* a soft border *_nor_* a hard border The Troubles will not reignite. Once, however, there is any border at all, bloodshed will resume.

[@fatfat1877]

If the Republic of Ireland builds a border where will the violence com from?

[@unamoloney5674]

fat fat Whether Ireland is forced to build a border or not, the root cause of any violence in the north is British’s occupation of the six counties within the island.

[@vercoda9997]

Una Moloney No doubt you’ll casually justify the IRA and acts of outright terrorism with the same blasé air.

[@unamoloney5674]

Ver Coda You conveniently (or inadvertently) omitted the act of terrorism conducted by the UDR , UVF and UDA, which for the most part, was filtered by the media published through Belfast.

[@fatfat1877]

@@unamoloney5674 If violence has stopped since there has been no hard border, and violence suddenly starts when there is a hard border, then the root cause is clearly a hard border.

[@philipocarroll]

Partition has been an economic disaster for NI and since 1998 and peace this has become painfully apparent even to Unionists. The problem is that as the UK has grown, its regions have been abandoned. London got richer, places like Hull stagnated, and NI stagnated. If there was a peace dividend, it went to the Republic, which is now much richer that NI. However even so it is a poorer country that the UK and cannot afford the level of public services the people in NI are used to. A United Ireland is currently impossible because even if a majority voted for it, the minority wouldn't accept it. Ireland would be politically unified but still internally riven, most probably with ongoing violence. This would not be a "United" Ireland. I think this new deal is very ugly but may allow NI to prosper as the only UK region to have a foot in both UK and EU trade zones.

[@jordanmills9538]

The Republic is now richer than the UK per person, it's ranked 5th in the world in GDP per capita and 10th in wealth per capita. It's also the fastest growing economy in Europe at nearly 5% of GDP per year . Their public services do need to be expanded however but that's cultural now, not economic, they've never had a public health service.

[@SuperTonyony]

According to Star Trek: The Next Generation, Ireland will be reunified in 2024, and I’ve never known them to be wrong about anything.

[@kieransavage100]

Norn Ironed and Southern Ironed?????

[@imyerda2590]

I like Eileen...people be more like eileen 🇬🇧🇮🇪

[@schmickaussie1038]

I hope that Brexit and no hard border are the final outcome. I don't care if Ireland becomes just one country or maintains the status quo. A hard border is just insane. The only ones that want a hard border are the EU. All of Ireland should benefit from any free trade agreements outside the EU after Brexit. Perhaps even cheaper American or Aussie steaks on your meal in the local pub...

[@ogaram]

Mate, you don't understand. Most of the island is staying in EU. Northern Ireland is joining them shortly after Brexit. Ireland has plenty steaks.

[@schmickaussie1038]

@@ogaram Ireland may like the EU but the EU by insisting on a hard border in Ireland was not a good friend of Ireland. The inefficient and corrupt EU has been blocking the more efficient American and Australian products such as beef. There are more people of Irish origin in Australia or the US so closer trade and doing more business is more logical than dealing with the fractured, bent and agenda ridden EU.

[@michaelharrison5564]

niexit

[@dd7aa]

I call bs on this. The media love a story and will talk anything to talk it up

[@leakymouth7018]

Do you live in N.Ireland? If so you are crazy to dismiss the warnings. If you don’t then you really need to look more into N.Ireland and actually learn why Brexit could lead to another war. Nobody I know would want a return to old days, we are still desperately trying to rebuild from the last one. Dismissing these problems won’t make them go away.

[@cammysmith7562]

To be honest I would prefer an Independent Northern Ireland, I don’t care about Ireland and I don’t Care about the UK. And neither the UK or Ireland cares about us.

[@stevenmcalister826]

Which would go bankrupt in a day

[@DasGrosseFressen]

Can soneobe explain what the actual problem.is? Is this a religious thing, seriously? Or is it more that there are some people that want to belong to UK and some to Irland? And if the UK clearly doesn't give a shit about NI, why does this group wants to stay?

[@oisin1816]

Northern Ireland is generally divided into nationalists (united irelanders) (who tend to be catholic) and loyalists (united kingdomers) (who tend to be protestant) - General history: Northern Ireland exists because of the plantation (colonisation) of Ulster a few hundred years ago which resulted in the sizeable population of protestants identifying as british (though the Northern Irish state wouldn't be founded until the 1900's) - it's not really about religion at all, its about cultural identity - also it is in the interest of the DUP to remain within the UK so that they do not go from a major party in Northern Ireland to a minority party in United Ireland (which could presumably fizzle out over time as a unionist party outside of the union might become a bit archaic) - apologies this is a bit vague and loose considering how controversial all of this gets

[@DasGrosseFressen]

@@oisin1816 Thanks! I see how this becomes quite difficult very quickly

[@vercoda9997]

Ruans Jutz Many of our Northern brothers look back on centuries of British identity, and see themselves as British as anyone from London or Oxford or Leeds or Yeovil or anywhere else, even though, ironically, they’ll almost certainly just be regarded as Irish, at best, or Some Paddy/Mick by people in England or the rest of Britain. Nevertheless, they are British - setting aside that The Good Friday Agreement allows citizens of The North to view themselves as Irish or British, which confuses matters, but those who may naturally see themselves as British fervently believe so, and it’s as much a part of their natural, core identity as it is for Me to see myself as Irish to the core, from this Republic of Ireland. As such, for our Northern brothers, who’re kinda-Irish-but-British-but-Irish-but-British, proposing alternative customs rules and laws and the like that would see their country/part of the overall British Union treated differently, given different rules to the rest of Britain, is a slap in the face to their identity and relationship with Britain. They refuse to allow it, or to be treated as a lesser part of the United Kingdom, which could, in their eyes, strengthen those who would prefer Northern Ireland leave the union and become part of the Republic of Ireland. Such a change strikes an existential blow at the cohesion of the Union and their worth, in their eyes - which is a valid point for them to consider. As such, our Northern brothers aren’t doing anything particularly wrong, per se; they cleave to their identity as most of us would, to follow how they interpret their identity and brotherhood within the overall union, as is entirely their democratic and cultural right, at least at present. Religion has nothing to do with it, but identity has everything to do with it...

[@dannyfeller7034]

The only thing that threatens peace in Northern Ireland are the communities not coming together against extremist ideas.

[@xyleblack2545]

The problem is you can't talk/argue with extremists. They'll never change their mind because of arguments.

[@dannyfeller7034]

@@xyleblack2545 this is true, sadly that’s the situation we have all over, opinions on the left and the right are drifting further apart.

[@violetgruner707]

American here (please forgive my ignorance on NI, Rep. Ireland history). But, why would the young men of NI, Rep. Ireland return to the violence of the troubles? The power lies in EU and London. In the end real decisions are made elsewhere. The thought of young lives returning to violence is unthinkable. I cannot understand why it could be a reality.

[@noel_savage_dota1436]

@HiWetcam 1690

[@michaelharrison5564]

@KFC lol he is taking the piss man, or else he's just mental. to cut a long story short, there has been trouble in Ireland for 800 years and the troubles are still raw and etched in the memories of people. there are still guns, still terrorists, still people who want a return to violence and something like a hard boarder could easily ignite trouble. also if there is a hard boarder the IRA have clearly stated they would be legitimate targets. the other issue is that the Unionist side may feel threatened that a united Ireland could be on the cards if there is violence on the boarder or a threat to their communities if the iRA grow and target them too which would ignite loyalist groups. bottom line is the troubles were not that long ago and sadly the bigotry, hatred and divide is still very much in our society. I am a bit of a soft nationalist but what I really want is peace and having a moron like Boris Johnson and the Dup at the helm of politics is a recipe for disaster.

[@michaelharrison5564]

lol he is taking the piss man, or else he's just mental. to cut a long story short, there has been trouble in Ireland for 800 years and the troubles are still raw and etched in the memories of people. there are still guns, still terrorists, still people who want a return to violence and something like a hard boarder could easily ignite trouble. also if there is a hard boarder the IRA have clearly stated they would be legitimate targets. the other issue is that the Unionist side may feel threatened that a united Ireland could be on the cards if there is violence on the boarder or a threat to their communities if the iRA grow and target them too which would ignite loyalist groups. bottom line is the troubles were not that long ago and sadly the bigotry, hatred and divide is still very much in our society. I am a bit of a soft nationalist but what I really want is peace and having a moron like Boris Johnson and the Dup at the helm of politics is a recipe for disaster.

[@vercoda9997]

Don’t forget that there’s also a lot of power and money to be made from such violence. A lot of the leaders during The Troubles became very wealthy and powerful figures during that period and subsequently - no, I’m Not talking about the leaders of political parties, but the actual terrorist groups who were murdering and spreading terror. I remember only too clearly how everything worked 20-30 years ago, and how many brutal men became personally wealthy off The Troubles, murdering rivals. They were gangsters wrapped in the veneer of ‘political struggle’, but gangsters first and last. Thus, in The Troubles, they had all kinds of usual gang activities running in tandem with acts of terror - prostitution rings, drug dealing and running, smuggling, bank robberies, shakedowns, etc etc, which they regularly hid behind by shooting drug dealers and other low level criminals to show how opposed to criminality they were (while continuing to control and organize the exact same activities themselves, of course). Some young men, and women, will always be drawn to criminality, and when you have teenagers and 20-somethings today for whom The Troubles are ancient history, you have useful cannon fodder and footsoldiers to drag right back into the newly resurgent dissident action that we’ve started to see uncoiling again over the last five years in particular. Hothead young guns, looking to make names for themselves, make money, earn respect - and with certain groups still selling a romanticized version of What The Evil Brits Did To Beloved Ireland to such malleable minds, there’s plenty of scope there for criminal elements to ensnare a new generation into the same old grievances. As such, should awful puppet masters seek to manipulate useful idiots into reloading The Troubles, I’m afraid that they’ll find them easily enough - and as we saw before, Americans would be happy to donate money to support such terrorism here in Ireland once again, as they do substantially did before. American dollars, donated by the Irish, and so-called Irish Americans there, and ordinary Americans, were sent to Ireland to support ‘the cause’ in significant amounts, thus ensuring that many people were murdered here with bombs and bullets also paid for by America. But that’s another threat entirely...

[@violetgruner707]

@@vercoda9997 Thank you for your explanation. We have the country of El Salvador in central America that has the exact problems. Young, out of control men who have set their country back. The general population have allowed these criminals to terrorize the people/economy. I was in Ireland on a holiday and was impressed by how well the people appear. Good jobs, healthy, seemingly well educated. It would be a tragedy if they let common criminals get the upper hand. I hope that people on both sides of the border do not become another El Salvador. It is their choice - it is as simple as that. Many Americans are praying for the best for the entire Island. Best wishes, God speed...

[@sagittariusa2283]

It threatens peace on the mainland UK #CivilWar

[@wzupppp]

Cant Northern-Ireland be an independant country under the sovereignty of the UK? Just like its overseas territories.

[@pm3157]

Jan Jacobszoon neither side will accept that. Unionists want to be a full part of the UK and nationalists want to be a full part of Ireland

[@pianoflat]

🇬🇧🔚🔚🔚

[@mesaaa08]

keep - and I cannot stress this enough - Ulster British

[@bobloblaw3191]

@Micheal Carney Typical American stirring the pot from thousands of miles away

[@bobloblaw3191]

@Micheal Carney Really? Because apparently their economy is better now than it's ever been. Shouldn't you come back? Why don't you come back?

[@bobloblaw3191]

@Micheal Carney Then you never experienced the civilian deaths that accompany terrorist bombing. You feel the murder is justified because of some supposed 'housing discrimination' but never had to watch the carnage first hand. The one thing the IRA did succeed at is cementing the fact there will never be a United Ireland by way of creating their own worst enemies. Bombing and killing civilians because they didn't want to leave the union. Lost all credibility and created the very thing which destroyed them. What a mess. But at least you were nice and safe right?

[@pm3157]

mesaaa08 Ulster never has been and never will be british. That is geographically and ethnically impossible and honestly a laughable thing to say. Britain is an island to the east of Ireland. You can get somebody to help you locate it on the map if it’s proving to be confusing for you. Ulster is an Irish province on the island of Ireland. Ulster always has had a largely Irish Catholic majority. Hence why Ulster is partitioned. If Ulster was british then the actual British people would never have split it to avoid it revolting in future. It really is not hard to understand why people from unionist backgrounds are less likely to progress onto higher level education when idiots like you and Bob exist. Ignorance and education deprivation passed down through generations. Embarrassing

[@pm3157]

Paulo Chan they are complete idiots. It’s evident when looking at education. Catholic schools who tend to have a largely nationalist majority are consistently better performing in NI. Likewise if you walk onto a college campus you’ll see right away who holds the majority of student population. They were never known for being bright. They are stuck in their backwards archaic ways

[@Kitiwake]

This time it's not the unionist's fault.

[@dillanmaneny859]

we all need out of the EU