Saturday, March 04, 2006
Shoot out at the Alexandra Bar
Bizarre events in North Belfast on Thursday, when there seems to have been some kind of shoot out between the UFF (an organisation supposedly on ceasefire) and the PSNI.
Mick Fealty @ 11:48 AM
Worth noting Mick, that according to the BBC report -
Police are still questioning 17 men arrested during a raid on a bar in the Tiger’s Bay area of north Belfast.
They are being held under the Terrorism Act and are being questioned about membership of a banned organisation and having items of use to terrorism.
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 12:59 PMThe first report I read (possibly BBC) said the police fired of CS gas. If the UDA didn’t shoot back does that constitute a shoot out?
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 01:17 PMI think it’s fairly clear from media reports yeasterday (based on UDA sources) that a ‘show of strength’ was being planned for a loyalist ‘function’ at the bar the following night. Among those arrested were five men in full combat gear and three leading loyalists who are out on bail on murder and attempted murder (of police) charges.
It’s good to see that the police (no doubt embarrassed by all the recent informer allegations) are prepared to take decisive action against UDA lowlifes.
I’m sure the DUP are sickened that the PSNI are prepared to treat loyalist like fenians. No wonder they’re keeping quiet.
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 01:22 PM“It’s good to see that the police ... are prepared to take decisive action against UDA lowlifes. “
It definitely is. I hope they all get the book thrown at them.
“I’m sure the DUP are sickened that the PSNI are prepared to treat loyalist like fenians. “
I don’t know why. A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist.
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 01:29 PMDo you approve of the police action, elfinto?
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 01:45 PMElfinto,
It is good to see you applauding the police service of NI. Republicans will take great heart from this when they eventually sign upto join the boys in green.
These Loyalists are just as much part of the problem has elements of the IRA. Treat them equally and remember if you live by the sword be prepared to die by it.
Martin
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 02:02 PMGav,
You can write so you must be able to read as well!
Unfortunately, elements of the police, prosecution service and judiciary have been colluding with these goons for too long to further their mutual political interests.
If, in the wake of IRA decommissioning, the powers that be have decided to shut down the UDA, that is to be welcomed. Whether that is the case however remains to be seen.
Judging by Paisley’s comments last week about the IRA hanging on to weapons to ‘use against Protestants’ he wants the goons to hang on their guns and stay in business (to the detriment of the communities concerned).
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 02:07 PMSorry Jack,
I forgot to mention that elements of the military and security services had also been collaborating with the goons. But then, you knew that anyway.
As you know the republican movement poses no threat to the peace.
elfinto
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 02:10 PMThe calm and studied way in which nationalists and republicans have responded in the face of the upsurge in unionist paramilitary activity is something that the unionist body politic should take on board.
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 02:20 PM“I’m sure the DUP are sickened that the PSNI are prepared to treat loyalist like fenians. “
I don’t know why. A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist.
You mean like Ulster Resistance, Beano? The DUP have a short memory methinks.
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 02:26 PMLanguage like “die by the sword” belongs to another era - as does the idea that the police have a green uniform.
Some of us have moved on, others are starting to realise they’ll have to do the same, some seem stuck in the past permanently.
But, like the man said “Sunnungdale for slow learners”
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 02:36 PMSammy Duddy of the uff’s political wing said the boys were there to organise a Latina night.
Right on, Sammy.
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 02:39 PMThe Telegraph says the bar was riddled. Police burst in and asked the customers, what animal walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon and three legs in the evening?
Thank you, thank you, I’m here all week.
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 02:41 PM“The calm and studied way in which nationalists and republicans have responded in the face of the upsurge in unionist paramilitary activity is something that the unionist body politic should take on board.”
Some chance, Pat
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 02:44 PMArn’t the loyalists just fighting themselves? So how would the republicans have reacted to that in the bad old days?
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 03:20 PMIt’s not really important how republcians react.
It’s more impotant how the authorities react.
They should for instance: stand by and watch while the UVF evict the LVF from an estate; or one bunch of UDA evict another bunch of UDA; and the courts should give bail to the north Belfast UDA brigadier when he is arrested with a loaded gun during a murderous feud; nor should they give him a laughably light sentence when he is convicted.
elfinto
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 03:26 PMWhat is equally important to how the authorities react to these feuds / incidents is how unionist politicians react. Usually they take a very soft line with unionist paramilitaries to the detriment of the commnities concerned.
No amount of government money will address this scourge if the politicians are not prepared to give leadership on this issue.
BTW in my previous post, I meant the courts should NOT give bail to leading loyalists arrested with loaded funs during feuds, nor those who fire AK47s at police officers.
elfinto
It’
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 03:49 PM“upsurge in unionist paramilitary activity”
What upsurge?
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 04:29 PMYet another loyalist punishment shooting last night in Rathcoole.
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 05:50 PMHow does a place like this get a drinks and entertainment license.
“The Alexandra Bar is a popular drinking hole among leading loyalist paramilitaries.”
http://archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews/2004/02/26/story135938.asp
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 06:41 PMIt’s heartening to see some official action against this underbelly.
Seen in combination with the Parades Commission’s recent determination on the provo parade in Strabane, could we be seeing signs that the authorities are finally prepared to put manners on the paramilitaries?
Newton Emerson’s piece in Thursday’s Irish News was excellent - maybe he’s finally spurred the cops into action!
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 07:52 PMThat PB 7 one was posted by urquhart
Posted by on Mar 04, 2006 @ 07:58 PMElfinto, Why should the police be “embarassed by the recent informer allegations” and why would it prompt this raid were it so?
Lah-dee-dah
Posted by on Mar 05, 2006 @ 07:29 AM“upsurge in unionist paramilitary activity”
What upsurge?
loyalists tried to murder a catholic taxi driver in North Belfast last night.A gun was put to the back of his head but the weapon jammed, the gunmen ran off into a staunchly loyalist area after the failed murder attempt.
Posted by on Mar 05, 2006 @ 12:27 PM23 Because the continuing allegations that the SB owns half of the UDA, UVF, LVF, etc, but loyalist activity is able to continue unimpeded will prevent any nationalist having any trust whatsoever in the PSNI until the matter has been fully investigated and the human rights abusers have been thrown out.
Posted by on Mar 05, 2006 @ 12:48 PM
