From what I hear the big problem will be distinguishing between the IRA's political activities (which have been overwhelmingly non-violent for some time) and its recent expansion into local organized crime. Since the peace agreements during the Clinton years (Come back Shane! Come back!), many IRA factions have essentially become mafia gangs with political rhetoric. They run rackets, prostitution, protection etc. Will those "IRA" factions disarm? Will it matter if they don't? Will the Unionists use the continuation of largely apolitical, criminal activity by groups calling themselves "IRA" as an excuse to restart violence on their end?
From what I hear the big problem will be distinguishing between the IRA's political activities (which have been overwhelmingly non-violent for some time) and its recent expansion into local organized crime. Since the peace agreements during the Clinton years (Come back Shane! Come back!), many IRA factions have essentially become mafia gangs with political rhetoric. They run rackets, prostitution, protection etc. Will those "IRA" factions disarm? Will it matter if they don't? Will the Unionists use the continuation of largely apolitical, criminal activity by groups calling themselves "IRA" as an excuse to restart violence on their end?
ReplyDelete// posted by Raised By Republicans
I'm going to Vegas this weekend, I'll let you know if there is an over/under on the timeframe.
ReplyDelete// posted by Siddharthawolf