If newspapers like the Irish Independent and sites like Slugger keep giving such nutters publicity then off course they will be repeated.I notice that the Irish Independent was not so ruthless in condemning IRA grafitti and the death of 3000 innocent Protestants by the murdering filth.

Stop giving these deranged lunatics publicity. The painting of a swatzika hardly merits national publicity.

Get a grip.

God Save The Queen.

ulsterman,

maybe 2,999 cos i'm sure at one was guilty

While it only takes one coward to daub paint what the state deserves to be judged by is its response. And condemnation is not enough. This has to be give top priority by the Gardai. Every possible forensic and human resourse must be brought to bear on these cases. The people involved should be found and brought before the courts. Nothing less is acceptable.

I'm in two minds over this Henry. If it's attention seeking yobs, is that the best approach?

While it is likely attention they seek, it's not a sufficient argument NOT to give it to them. To use the law (and the media) to draw attention to this crime can also draw attention to it's unacceptability by Irish society. Ultimately, while i agree that simple statements of condemnation aren't enough, the stronger condemnation of a society through law, and hopefully, more public acts of condemnation from wider society, could ensure that this won't happen again.

I think this is realy just another example of the mono-cultural society that sinn fein want us to be part of.

Please explain Jonathon.

Jonathan - the same could be said of some loyalist paramilitaries and their connections with BNP / Combat 18 types on the mainland who attack ethnic immigrants. People have to realise that the island of Ireland is going to become multi-cultural aka the UK USA, Australia. It will be a melting pot of traditions, cultures and religions and we must learn to live in a shared space together, although England and the US are not necessarily places of racial and cultural harmony but is there something we could do differently to prevent similar racial and cultural tensions that might even be applicable to the "Orange and Green"?

Lest We Forget

They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from falling hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.

-- John McCrae

Davros

I think it is neccessary to show a zero-tolerance for attacks of this kind. The state can't promise it will never happen only that when it does it will be treated very seriously.

The Jewish community, other minorities and those who want to commemorate the dead of the World wars need to know that the state is 100% behind their rights and will vindcate those rights. Thses attacks are a political statement and a challenge. It has to be faced down.

What I'm getting at Henry is that while there MUST be a major effort to get the culprits, it shouldn't necessarily be stressed, which both gives them publicity and, if unsuccessful, a visible "victory".

Irish Independent has a story suggesting they may be some new small group of 'Irish Nationalists' , which although possibly correct terminology in Cultural Geographical terms is rather unfair on the vast majority of Irish Nationalists who are decent and honourable people.

Davos, the Independent isn't the only one that thinks there was a "political" element to his attack. Those who placed a wreath on the memorial have similar views (expressed on RTE's lunchtime radio news). I think a statement from the local SF TD wouldn't go astray here, in the same way the unionist spokemen have been quick to critise attacks on minorities in N.I.

Personally I think that is is regretable that his country does not join with the rest of Europe in remembering it's war dead on 11th November. The date after all refers to the ending of WW1, where thousands of Irish men (of both political persuasions) lost their lives believing that they were helping their individual causes.

Keith - it's a complex subject.

Poppies bloom larger than ever

A poignant wreath laying and remembrance service will take place at the War Memorial in Pery Square this Sunday at 11am, followed by Mass in St Joseph's Church at 11.30.

14

Davros, I'm originally from Limerick and there has always been a remembrance service and poppy laying ceremoney on Remembrance Sunday in the city for as long as I remember. Unfortunatly the goverment decided to have a national commemoration day in summer (June?) a few years back which puts us out of step with most of the rest of Europe.

davros

A poignant wreath laying and remembrance service will take place at the War Memorial in Pery Square this Sunday at 11am

Is it possible to call something poignant in advance?

In any case I understand your point obout publicity for the vandals but my guess is that we are not dealing with great political minds here and the public would find them odious.

The main point the state needs to stress is that attacks like these will not be taken lightly.