137 Comments

• Scotchtommy | Aug 26, 2011, 07:29 AM EDT

  What hypocrites.All the years of the Troubles not a word of regret about all the Protestant policemen killed.After all -as Prods they deserved it.But now (God Rest His Soul)when a Catholic policeman is murdered we hear screams of outrage because now they've murdered a human being instead of one of those Protestant animals.

• JOHNTOBIN | Aug 26, 2011, 06:55 AM EDT

  What ghastly comments by sirpeter and Realist.Talk about living in the past.

• peterson | Aug 25, 2011, 08:48 PM EDT

  These "bombers" are the lowest of "low life" besides being cowards !!

• donal1951 | Apr 19, 2011, 10:49 AM EDT

  I'm coming a little late to comment on Mr. O'Dowd's column, but I agree with it 100 percent. The time for violence is over. Yes, it still rankles me that the British rule six counuties in Northern Ireland, but as the Troubles showed, they are not going to leave because of violence, killing of Catholic PSNI officers, or of British troops. The Good Friday and following agreements have given a framework for a peaceful solution. Let's take that path. God rest the soul of this hero cop.

• sirpeter | Apr 17, 2011, 10:48 AM EDT

  Realist..That he did!!

• Realist | Apr 17, 2011, 04:52 AM EDT

  sirpeter wrote on 17th April 2011, and I quote, "Got what he deserved like any British soldier in my land."

• sirpeter | Apr 14, 2011, 11:57 AM EDT

  Dano..I appreciate your rethinking on that matter about museums giving back artifacts if they are asked for. Now that a certain amount of consensus on the subject has been reached. It can move to a more meaningful level in which you stated.There are reasons why large museums don’t want to repatriate stuff.If there is a very good reason. Then that's the end of the argument. If not then there still is a certain amount of consensus on the matter and it can be discussed rationally without anti-British or anti-Irish sentiment. In my opinion the regular posters here need to study the articles first so they at least have a solid foundation on which to base their arguments on. If I was on a British forum and they were discussing the London Blitz I would be very careful not to antagonize the posters because the British people genuinely suffered death and extreme hardship at the hands of the Germans. I could antagonize the British posters by saying it was the harsh treatment of Germany at the Treaty of Versailles after WW1 which gave Hitler the platform to seize power.While there is a certain amount of truth to this.It is going to antagonize the hell out of the British posters if I just posted that and no more. The failure of the British government to act against Hitler sooner is NOT the failure of the British people.When weighing up the fact's the correct conclusion to draw is that it was 95% German government aggression/policy and 5% failure of the British and French Governments.The foundation from which I would base any discussion on the London Blitz on a British forum is that the German government were wrong. The same respect should be shown to the Irish people.

• EireinAmerica | Apr 13, 2011, 02:18 PM EDT

  You lads are right,....about some people here being British apologists,..I am tired of it,..talk about giving back,..I have an idea,..un-occupy Northern Ireland,..take down that wretched Union Jack,..unite the island. Thank God for people who will not bend,..thank God for those that will not give up the cause,..and God bless Ronan Kerr's family,..because though I am anti-Brit and I am a republican,..senseless murder like this is not promoting the cause.

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 13, 2011, 01:42 PM EDT

  Sirpete/Ancavker – Have rethought this and am going to hoist the white flag on this one. There are reasons why large museums don’t want to repatriate stuff, not setting precedence etc but on balance, and given your arguments I’ve come round to agree. Frankly Ancient History bores the arse of me; prefer enlightenment and industrial history…that doesn’t mean I won’t be chipping in in other posts. BTW I don’t think Brits are always right, my overriding point is that they’re not always wrong either.

• sirpeter | Apr 13, 2011, 12:32 PM EDT

  That's the problem with this place. This site has alot of articles about Irish history and it's impossible to get to discuss finer detail with some posters here. I spend half my time defending basic historic fact about the mismanagement of British rule in Ireland. To study Irish history you can't come to any other conclusion. Yet!! The pro British here will try and turn the tables and say something like. Well!! It was Dermot MacMurrough ousted as King of Leinster who sought military assistance from King Henry II of England to retake his kingdom. So it was an Irishman who invited the English over and that argument is suppose to explain away the 800 years of mismanagement and wholesale atrocities and the pro-British seek out ways of blaming the Irish people for everything in Ireland. Not ONCE will they criticize British policy on anything.

• ancavker | Apr 13, 2011, 10:45 AM EDT

  Dan: I give up. Now it is the U.S. that should give back artifacts to Europe? (England was in the empire business far longer than the U.S.) I used to enjoy our discussions, but more and more I have come to realize that you appear to be a British apologist for everything. They apparently can do no wrong. Or the wrong can be explained away, yet it only applies to England. England always right, Ireland or anybody who disagrees with any aspect of British policy or behavior over the years always wrong. SO much for your supposed even handedness.

• sirpeter | Apr 12, 2011, 08:28 PM EDT

  Dano..No!! NOT ALL!! Your getting carried away again. Just the really important pieces Dano..That would be a good start. When a country asked another country for an important artifact to be given back..It should be given back in this modern age. Ye Brits ye always have an excuse not to do the right thing. Pirates and Football hooligans..That's all ye all.

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 12, 2011, 04:11 PM EDT

  ancavker - museuwms by their nature have lots of other peoples stuff - return is not quite so simple - if museums like the Vatican returned their bits it could put pressure on others like BM. Anyway, its complicated - how many European artefacts are in the USA? CAN WE HAVE THEM ALL BACK PLEASE?

• ancavker | Apr 12, 2011, 01:23 PM EDT

  Dan They had no business selling them in the first place. I am sure England would be furious if some national treasure of hers was sold, even if it was allegedly legal. So yes the Elgin marbles should be returned to the Greek people.

• hancock | Apr 12, 2011, 12:30 AM EDT

  Dan stop your bitching , its tiresome.

• sirpeter | Apr 11, 2011, 07:40 PM EDT

  Dano..The fact is it's unfair on a nation to take their heritage out of there country.Especially really important artifacts and in this modern age,they should be given back to their country of origin where the people of that country can appreciate and educate their own people about their past.Dano your just a big meany defending stolen goods. Purchased from people who stole them in the first place. Half the stolen artifacts aren't even on display.

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 11, 2011, 05:05 PM EDT

  Hancock/Maloney Twins - Try constructing a meaningful sentence or two. You know the sort of thing, it normally has a beginning, middle and end

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 11, 2011, 04:58 PM EDT

  Ancavker – the items you refer to are known as the Parthenon Marbles or Elgin Marbles. These were NOT STOLEN, but acquired legitimately in the 19th century, from the then title holders, the Ottoman Empire, and PURCHASED for the museum by the British Government. Other parts of this collection are in several European museums, including the Vatican and the Louvre. The Greek government has been seeking their return in recent years, but to argue they were stolen is to buy into the usual misinformed rhetoric.

• maloney | Apr 11, 2011, 04:27 PM EDT

  There is nothing legitimate about the Brits. Theft and murder does not make a country good let alone great. Old offences are still offences.

• ancavker | Apr 11, 2011, 04:25 PM EDT

  Dan: Speaking for myself I am certainly not promoting the anti Brit campaign, merely stating that if items in the British museum were stolen, they should be returned to the countries they were stolen from. I know Greece in particular has been trying for years to get some artifacts back that were stolen from Greece. They should be returned.

• hancock | Apr 11, 2011, 02:50 PM EDT

  Good thing we have you to counter with Brit ass kiss angle.

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 11, 2011, 11:46 AM EDT

  I'm not claiming anything...I don't know how much of the BM collection has disputed ownership...certainly some, maybe most of it is legitimate. Its a world class collection, but as always, some posters need to promote the 'Anti-Brit' angle...pathetic.

• ancavker | Apr 11, 2011, 11:18 AM EDT

  Dan You are stretching here. IF you took something you should return it. The fact that you claim your keeping it is preserving it for everybody is weak.

• sirpeter | Apr 10, 2011, 11:24 PM EDT

  The British Museum plundering countries heritage since 1753. Not really that old compared to public museums in Rome Dano.The oldest public museums in the world opened in Rome during the Renaissance.Dano.The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, which had been open to visitors on since the 16th century.The first truly public museum was the Louvre Museum in Paris,opened in 1793 during the French Revolution.

• sirpeter | Apr 10, 2011, 11:03 PM EDT

  Well Dano..patriot was talking about the Stone of Destiny.So I thought I'd cheer him up some more. Thing is Dano..Saved isn't a word I'd use when it comes to other countries artifacts. If you save your neighbours wedding ring,a gentleman would give it back. Not the Brits..It's plunder and keep. What's the Jewish holocaust section about Dano..It's not even British history. I mean they should have the Irish holocaust..That's more British history isn't it? or isn't a million Irish dead enough. We will never ease up on the Anglophobia Dano..It's a phobia..It's a fear of what the Brits are up too.

• hancock | Apr 10, 2011, 10:59 PM EDT

  Why don't you ease up on the ass kidssing.

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 10, 2011, 06:53 PM EDT

  maloney - No, you don't. Read the history of the BM, not much different to other national museums, but a lot older...and do try to ease up on the Anglophobia...given the week we've had.

• maloney | Apr 10, 2011, 06:34 PM EDT

  So if pirates display for all to see their ill gotten booty at no charge to the looker then there was no crime committed in the stealing and killing? Do I have that right?

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 10, 2011, 06:22 PM EDT

  Sirpete – an excellent suggestion. The British Museum, founded in 1753, and therefore before US Independence, The French Revolution, Napoleon, abolition of slavery etc etc has saved many artefacts for the world and admission is FREE. Not sure how such a visit is relevant to this story though?

• sirpeter | Apr 10, 2011, 03:42 PM EDT

  @patriot..You should take a trip to the British plunder museum in London..Half the stuff is stolen property from other countries.Hard to know why they call it the British museum.

• barneyjo | Apr 09, 2011, 01:49 PM EDT

  @patriot - so you wont have heard of the "Good Friday Agreement " then, under the terms of which the majority of Republican prisoners were released, to the extent that the Maze prison, the main holding centre for paramilitaries has long since closed. Ditto Crumlin Road Jail in Belfast. Granted you still have the "Angry Brigade" (The McKevitt's, Campbell's, and Foxes of this world) but realistically they would be of no benefit to any renewed Repuglican Struggle, given that they are nothing more than common gangsters, villans and thieves. So no, ther's no one of any real worth, no "REAL" republicans in the mantel of Connolly, Pearse, or Collins incarcerated at present!!

• Realist | Apr 09, 2011, 06:17 AM EDT

  Patriot: After you address Dan's query (assuming you attempt a serious response), perhaps you can list how many prisons were kept and prisoners taken by those you seem to support in the Provisional IRA? By the way, you made a right fool of yourself writing all that rubbish about the 'Stone of Destiny'....lol. I think you might be a tad out of your depth here old son - any thoughts?

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 09, 2011, 04:08 AM EDT

  Patriot – When you make statements like ‘British prisons that still hold our best and brightest’, it’s sort of expected that you quote some examples. Names. Prisons, reasons for unlawful imprisonment…you need to back up such statements, more so given the week that’s in it…otherwise people may get the idea that it’s just another Anglophobic rant.

• patriot | Apr 08, 2011, 08:28 PM EDT

  On second thought, I retract the "might".

• patriot | Apr 08, 2011, 08:26 PM EDT

  DanO, you might not be half so clever as you think you are.

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 08, 2011, 04:52 PM EDT

  Patriot – think you’ll find that the stone was returned to Scotland some years ago, and is now in Edinburgh Castle…so you need to address your claim to the Scottish authorities

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 08, 2011, 04:50 PM EDT

  Patriot – re Irishmen in Brit prisons…A timely reminder of the fate of Irish Traveller and career criminal John Maughan, disgracefully left to languish in an English prison, whose latest of 59 criminal convictions was merely to steal a Stradivarius violin, (still not recovered) valued at 1.2 million British Pounds, and try to sell it the next day for 100 pounds, obviously to feed his family. Surely the Brits MUST release this man at once, he is clearly one of our ‘Brightest and Best’, and all true blooded Irishmen can only welcome his return to old Ireland, where he can try to rebuild his career.

• patriot | Apr 08, 2011, 03:56 PM EDT

  If the royal family wants to make amends with the tribes of our wee island, then she should start by retuning our "Coronation Stone". The Stone of Scone, more commonly known in Ireland as the Stone of Destiny is referred to in England as the Coronation Stone. It is an oblong block of red sandstone used for centuries in the coronation of the monarchs of scotland, and since 1603, the monarchs of england. But its rightful home is IRELAND from whence it was stolen by Fergus the first King of the Scots. In 1296 the Stone was captured by Edward I as spoils of war and taken to Westminster Abbey, where it was fitted into a wooden chair, known as King Edward's Chair. Subsequently most English sovereigns have been crowned in this chair. Doubtless edward intended to symbolize the royal family's claim to be "Lord Paramount" of Scotland. Underlining this, edward once referred to the Stone contemptuously as a 'turd'. Well, that "turd" is unarguably an ancient Irish stone, and therefore a stolen Irish treasure. If the queen wishes and wants to make amends with the Celts of Ireland, then as a very first step she will see that our STONE OF DESTINY is returned to Ireland BEFORE HER VISIT.

• patriot | Apr 08, 2011, 03:12 PM EDT

  Courage is lacking in many who call it prison, ironic in light of all the british prisons that have and still hold our best and brightest.

• ancavker | Apr 08, 2011, 11:25 AM EDT

  patriot: Nobody is forgetting the struggles of the past. I spend alot of time battling the revisionists, and the sad fact that so many Irish people today refuse to honor the men and women who fought for Irish independence, and who almost got it all. I also battle those who seem to think the English have nver done any wrong, and the Irish people should be gratefule to them!!! even Davod Cameron the British PM admitted in Pakistna that England is the casue of many of the problems in the world today. I also have to accept that we are where we are today, and senseless mindless violence is not the answer to Irish unity. If it happens and someday I believe it will, it can only be by peaceful means. The Irish people in 1922 accepted reluctantly what that treaty offered. Real freedom, far More than anything offered under so called Home Rule. The anti-treaty side, although idealistic, and acting in many cases out out misguided principal, refused to accept the democratic wishes of the Irish people,and embarked on a suicidal civil war, which destroyed the country, and set back the cause of Irish unity. Today with the GFA, there is for the most part peace, and the Catholics/Nationalists have equal rights, and a voice, and their Irish identity is acknowledged. The Unionists/Protestants rights are also guaranteed and they get to keep what they belive is theirBritish identity; it is a compromise. At some point I believe they will realize their future lies in the island of Ireland as a whole and we will see Irish unity. It is worth waiting for.

• MrSinatra | Apr 08, 2011, 03:07 AM EDT

  I'm with Patriot, as long as the cause is carried out via non-violent means.
  
  surely most people posting here believe that there are solutions possible, even probable, that end with England vacating, and Ireland ruled as a whole?
  
  seems to me the North could in fact be ruled under a different set of expectations than the rest of the republic, with protections for all involved, but ultimately under the republic rather than "her majesty." no?

• barneyjo | Apr 07, 2011, 08:25 PM EDT

  @patriot - you truly are both a prisoner and victim of the history of this island. I dont think there is anything I can say to you to change that, and I respect your right to hold that view. So hold that view if you will. Let it die with you. And in that, I truly hope you find some peace and satisfaction in the fact that you held out to continue to "swim against the tide" I on the other hand prefer to look to the future. As Seamus Heaney so eloquently put it "Hope for a sea change on the far side of revenge. BELIEVE that a far shore is reachable from here" Enjoy your "truth" patriot, and I will enjoy mine!!

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 07, 2011, 07:33 PM EDT

  Patriot – let me get this straight – if there were only 100 Irishmen in the world, and 99 voted to go one way, you would still go the other? You must be a great guy, not a democrat, but still, you’re wonderful. When can we expect you back on the ‘ould sod’ to engage the enemy?

• patriot | Apr 07, 2011, 04:12 PM EDT

  I am a citizen of the USA and of the Irish Republic. My relatives were founding members of the ICA. Why did my family have to leave Ireland? Because of the british partition og our island and the rise of the blue shirts. Therefore, I will never ever, ever, ever, ever, give up. I don't care if there were only one hundred Irish folks left in the whole universe and 99 have given up on the unification of Ireland (like the quislings here) I could not care less, and would soldier on against the enemies of my blood. I am right because I know the truth. You may wish to forget the murder and torture of your ancestors. I do not.

• feniannj | Apr 07, 2011, 01:00 PM EDT

  Fair play to all of ya! This is a very constructive thread on a very important subject. I haven't heard this type of discussion in awhile. Hats off!!

• MrSinatra | Apr 07, 2011, 12:48 AM EDT

  look, i'm not a defender of the gov't of the republic, thats not my point. to me, ireland is WAY too left in all its parties. but thats TOTALLY besides the point. the only point i want to get across, (besides that i am against ANY violence), is that england needs to VACATE immediately, and let the populations of the north and republic sort it out. england does not help the issue, and in fact is the main facet of the problem.

• sirpeter | Apr 06, 2011, 08:44 PM EDT

  I think the Irish Government should move to Cork.The Government in Dublin has failed as ancavker said. The English pale was never a good place to have a Capital in an Irish Country. It was always different.Jackeens they waved the union jack and had the tri colour in their back pockets.Isn't that right Dublinjas!!

• barneyjo | Apr 06, 2011, 07:51 PM EDT

  @patriot - are you a US citizen? If you are then you have a lot less reason than I have to be bitter. I buried family members who were victims of state sponsored terrorism. I was a victim of secterianism, politically, socially and spiritually. If you are a US citizen then yours has to be a retrospective view of the history of my country. I lived through these times. I went to funerals. I protested against injustice, I was battoned and tear-gassed!! Believe you me I have a lot more reason than some posters to this site not to forget!! You're right when you say that we must remember who we are and where we have come from. We can do that by celebrating our history. I venture to suggest that by the views you express, you have allowed yourself to become both a victim and prisoner of that history. For myself and others like me, we have chosen to be neither VICTIMS nor PRISONERS. We fought for that right, and WE WON!!

• barneyjo | Apr 06, 2011, 07:33 PM EDT

  My God, I have to say that some of the posters on this site from Stateside dont half talk some "Bollix"

• feniannj | Apr 06, 2011, 06:41 PM EDT

  ancavker.....you are right on the money. Both sides of the brit imposed border are disfunctional -to say the least,- and they are 100% responsible for what we have today. Looking outside the box, and not thinking within the confines of imposed constitutional politics/economics, we can make a huge difference. I invite anyone with a genuine concern, to read the history of the Irish Federal Proposals (Eire Nua). It can be found at www.irishfreedom.net, under the Eire Nua link. The NIFC has brought these issues to the attention of the U.S. Congress, and have started a campaign in the grassroots districts of select U.S. Congresssman that can make a difference. For more info. contact irishfreedom@optonline.net

• feniannj | Apr 06, 2011, 06:21 PM EDT

  Dublinjas......lol..I love ya..Why not Cork??..LOL All joke aside, this is the vehicle to a, 'just,' and LASTING peace in Ireland. Thank you. www.irishfreedom.net/eire nua

• feniannj | Apr 06, 2011, 05:39 PM EDT

  citizen69...I agree with you about the status of a united Ireland in the minds of the populace. The Irish people are no different than anyone else. The people seek, a decent standard of living, peace and security. The powers that be, know this, and have capitalized on these desires by utilizing strategicly timed concessions to control the people. At the end of the day, the brits are not concerned with the desires of the Irish people. They are concerned with imposing their will in Ireland, 'full stop!!' The Irish people have the power to make a difference, and the Irish Federal Proposals (Eire Nua) are a good start for people to get involved. These proposals will provide for a just and lasting peace, under the context of a British declaration of intent to withdraw from Ireland.

• Dublinjas | Apr 06, 2011, 04:45 PM EDT

  If there was ever to be a united Ireland it could only be a federal system somewhat like Canada where each province elects its own government, This would protect the Unionist traditions in Ulster and the Protestant religions and give the people of those traditions some confidence in supporting such a scheme, and there would have to be a federal or central Government probably in the historical capital of Dublin, Or perhaps like Canada again we could create a new capital in say Athlone, as long as it is not in Cork, This is the type of discussion that in future may bear some fruit, NOT beating people over the head shooting or bombing them with an end to a united country, A united Ireland will not happen next week, it will happen when the majority of people with a consensus from the minority wish these things to take place.

• ancavker | Apr 06, 2011, 03:36 PM EDT

  Mr. Sinatra: Sad to say, and it pains me to say it. But the Irish people in the south failed at self government. They lacked the self confidence and the vision, and the love of their country to make it work.

• ancavker | Apr 06, 2011, 03:34 PM EDT

  citizen: Agree. i would love to see auntited Ireland, and they believe the partition of the country was a grave historical injustice, and retarded the growth of both severed entities. The British government and the inept leaders that came after the establishment of the 26 county state are to blame for this. That being said, we are where we are now, and we have peace,a d an end to the violence, and the fascist statelet that was the north, and that is the main thing. A united Ireland is a just aspiration but will not happen any time soon. The south is in an economic shambles,and the north is a massive welfare state.

• citizen69 | Apr 06, 2011, 12:47 PM EDT

  You people don't seem to understand. The United Ireland question is no longer in the front of peoples minds. Northern Ireland is no longer a sectarian state. People are more concerned with everyday issues of jobs & rising prices. Yes 30% of people in the North want a united Ireland but it is an aspiration that they want to achieve democratically & peacefully. For the vast majority it is not a pressing issue. A United Ireland is not a magic wand that will suddenly fix everything. Even if it were achieved tommorow you may then get an uprising of loyalists fighting to secede from a U.I. Or you may see a situation similar to the Irish civil war of the 1920's with two factions of republicans disagreeing on how the state should be run. Don't think they will just drop their weapons and become model citzens overnight. There couldn't have been a more clear message at constable Kerr's funeral today... The leaders of Northern Ireland, the leaders of the Republic, people from the GAA, people from the Orange Order, republicans, loyalists, church leaders, police officers and ordinary protestant & catholic citizens all standing shoulder to shoulder to say STOP THIS NOW! Some people here need to open their ears!

• MrSinatra | Apr 06, 2011, 01:27 AM EDT

  FallsRNat,
  
  your argument makes no sense. of course the land is the issue. by your ridiculous logic, you would not have supported a republic of ireland in 1910. england is an occupier. hong kong didn't want to go back to china either, but thats where it belongs. and you raise the indians? hogwash... why not have us all return to the roman empire or egyptian pharoahs?
  
  i don't want any killing. i just want one republic. the land as a whole should be governed as a whole, and england should get the hell out.

• fuiseog | Apr 05, 2011, 06:26 PM EDT

  Sirpeter-you got it right; I would expand on your allegations of government failures; a sectarian state can only fail, no people can for long tolerat their own suppression or be, self-suppressing--it can happen for a while but, in the end the natural desire to be whole will prevail.

• fuiseog | Apr 05, 2011, 06:08 PM EDT

  DanOloingsigh- I am real; firimly aware of my peoples history, their greatness and their long struggle for their right to live as total humans. Recently, we have retrogressed.It might be because the Seánín cabal of gombín men in Dublin have developed historical amnesia, and passed it on to the general populace. I am I'm not a fascist; I too, would like to see democracy evolve in Éire. I don't know how it can while we are under occupation. The occupiers have comitted mass murder, genocide,cultural suppression and abasememt. According to the UN decelaration of Human Rights; all people have the right to practice self-defence. Perhaps first one must be aware of ones subordination?

• sirpeter | Apr 05, 2011, 05:23 PM EDT

  Ajreaper..The thing is a murder like this is connected to the past. I honestly think you are wrong that people want to be grounded in the past. But how many articles on IC keep slapping us in the face with our past. I think IC could give alot more articles on the positive side and I don't mean the Guinness and Baileys cup cakes article..Is Irish food not Irish unless we add drink to it!! who the hell ever had Guinness and Baileys cup cakes.

• Sparklet | Apr 05, 2011, 05:23 PM EDT

  Citizen69 speaks the truth. The majority of Irish people don't harbour grudges from the past, and the worst grudges are often from those who never lived there.

• ancavker | Apr 05, 2011, 05:04 PM EDT

  kilsally The IRA was a spent force in the late 1960's hence the graffiti IRA equals I ran away. Their other attempts in the 50's were feeble and petered out. As far as working with the Nazi's give ti a rest; they accomplished nothing. It was the old England's difficulty was Ireland's opportunity.

• Sparklet | Apr 05, 2011, 04:59 PM EDT

  Patriot, babies in pushchairs? Schoolchildren? Ordinary families?

• Ajreaper | Apr 05, 2011, 04:44 PM EDT

  Its awful hard to move forward when so many wish to be grounded in the past. Whats happening today is much more important then what happened 10, 20 or 100 years ago. You cannot gain ground by wanting to return to the past and blame people today for others sins in the past. Focus on the here and now and move forward.

• citizen69 | Apr 05, 2011, 03:10 PM EDT

  It's very convenient to remember only the atrocities & massacres by one side but not the other. There were many massacres of protestants by the Irish over the centuries also... 1641 massacres, Scullabogue, seige of derry, Tully castle, Cork, and the many atrocities of the IRA to name but a few! Both sides suffered greatly. we cannot live in the past and the vast majority of the people of Ireland are choosing not to. It seems to me it is mostly ex-pats or those who have maybe never even lived in Ireland who are the ones that hold on to old grudges. Well it's not up to YOU! The people who live here want peace and reconciliation. They've had enough of the crap you guys keep going on about They've realized that modern Northern Ireland is heading for a better future and the 'struggle' isn't worth even one more violent death.

• sirpeter | Apr 05, 2011, 02:29 PM EDT

  Kilsally..Glad you asked..Sure can..In September 1968, NICRA organised a march to be held in Derry on 5 October 1968. On 1 October, a Protestant fraternal organisation, the Apprentice Boys of Derry, announced their intention to march the same route on the same day and time.William Craig, the Northern Ireland Home Affairs Minister chose to ban civil rights marches.Civil Rights demonstrators defied the ban. They were repeatedly attacked by the Royal Ulster Constabulary, who injured many marchers, including West Belfast MP Gerry Fitt. Television pictures of the march taken by RTÉ cameraman, Gay O'Brien, shocked viewers across the world. Following these events, Catholics in Derry rioted against police for two days. Students such as Bernadette Devlin at Queen's University, Belfast were radicalised by these events and formed a more radical civil rights organisation People's Democracy.Events escalated until August 1969, when an Apprentice Boys of Derry march was attacked after trying to march through the nationalist Bogside area of Derry. The RUC intervened, and a three day riot ensued between the RUC and the Bogside residents (allied under the Derry Citizens' Defence Association. Rioting spread throughout Northern Ireland, where at least seven were killed, and hundreds wounded. Thousands of Catholics were driven from their homes by Loyalists. These events were often seen as the start of the Troubles. There you go!! If you care to read about the IRA in the 50's you will find they were almost dormant.

• Sparklet | Apr 05, 2011, 01:56 PM EDT

  Patriot, it makes my blood boil to read about stuff like the slavery, and Drogheda etc. I have cupboards full of books. I despise the people who did those things. But I don't hate for the sake of it.

• patriot | Apr 05, 2011, 01:51 PM EDT

  Who is innocent? If you work for the occupier, you are the occupier.

• Sparklet | Apr 05, 2011, 01:46 PM EDT

  Patriot, in answer to your question - you don't forget your ancestry but you have to move on. Should the British still harbour grievances against the Normans and the Vikings? Should the native Americans rise up? Let's not forget the Spanish inquisition - they slaughtered a fair few. Anyone who commits atrocity should be punished - either in this life or the next - but not innocent people. Where does it end if we adopt an eye for an eye attitude? Women and children killed en masse in Iraq - does it make it right when Muslim terrorists kill innocents for revenge?

• patriot | Apr 05, 2011, 01:30 PM EDT

  I think what people fail to understand is the past. Why should the Irish forget the past? The ground of Ireland is soaked with Irish blood drawn by the british for centuries. They sent our woen & orphans into slavery in Barbados. Read a frickin book! Are we supposed to just forget all about that? My relatives were murdered in cold blood by the Black & Tans so don't try and smoke screen with all your traitorous west briton lies, I know the truth.

• sirpeter | Apr 05, 2011, 01:19 PM EDT

  Dano..I'm not taking sides..I'm neither anti-violence nor pro-violence. Mostly I just try and state fact's on this site.Fact's I can check out from numerous sources and time is what brings out the truth.Anything mostly to do with NI takes 30 years before you can be sure of the truth.I don't like giving personal opinions if I can help it. What I post on this site is not my opinion 90% of the time. I post what numerous sources and experts have to say about a matter. Personal emotional opinions are bulls*it mostly.I know this for a fact because I read alot of it on this site.

• Kilsally | Apr 05, 2011, 01:16 PM EDT

  @feniannj: "The Irish Federal Solution (Eire Nua) would provide for an independent judiciary." ...erm and who would serve on this independent judiciary and who would serve on the police????the same northern ireland born, bred and educated judges and policemen we have now presumably - the problem with your utopian strategy is that you think a united ireland is a unionist free zone - it is pie in the sky.

• Kilsally | Apr 05, 2011, 01:09 PM EDT

  @sirpeter "Therefore the NI government gave new life to the almost dormant IRA." Can you tell me when this was? They were active during both world wars, indeed working with the nazis, they were active in the 1950`s when Joe Cahill and his gang killed a Catholic policeman by the name of Murphy?????

• conorsmom | Apr 05, 2011, 12:39 PM EDT

  Sirpter- You have a very old argument. If my son was shot and killed and the government did nothing about it, yes it is maddening and it breeds hate. But, that does not give ANYONE the right to kill for it. As the daughter/granddaughter of Belfast Catholics I have a very good understanding of why people hate and I have seen what that does to people. Why is it that people think that the change in NI government is a one time change. If the citizens of the North work peacefully TOGETHER and stop blaming and pointing fingers then maybe, just maybe the changes can continue. Remember injustice is a two sided coin

• sirpeter | Apr 05, 2011, 12:22 PM EDT

  Dublinjas..I don't think you see where I'm coming from at all.Or else you are been selective in your thinking. Injustice breeds anger. If you believe there was no injustice in NI then I can understand your confusion. Injustice upon a section of a community is created and upheld by a Government. Where you have injustice you will get military or passive resistance. The NI government chose to fight passive resistance with military force.Therefore the NI government gave new life to the almost dormant IRA.That is a government failure. God forbid..But if your 12 year old child is shot and killed by government forces,you are going to be angry. For some people that anger is going to last for life and they are going to want to kill anybody who associates themselves with that government no matter what agreement is made. (GFA)If you don't get it fine. Here is another example of Government failure and it's future long lasting consequences. The Irish Government has failed this country economically because of negligence. Those young married couples who are trapped with a mortgage and a house they can't sell are in danger of losing everything they worked hard for. Some marriages will break down because of this government failure.As you know there is a rise in suicide because of this government failure. Children will suffer because of both, and are much more likely to be future trouble for our society in every way. What governments do or fail to do has long lasting consequences for societies. This country could be slipping down the road to street rioting and police baton charges because of government failure. If that happens who would you blame?..I can almost read your answer already..The rioters because they chose to riot.

• conorsmom | Apr 05, 2011, 12:21 PM EDT

  How sad... This horrible act takes place and as usual, you all argue amongst yourselves! This man died just doing his job. This is not a time for any of you to stand on a soap box and rant about the English injustice in the past. The North will never move forward if they don't stop looking at the past. There is nothing that can be done about the injustice, the bigotry, and the discrimination that befell so many, but if everyone doesn't try to move ahead and make it better for the generations to come, then won't we keep reading similar articles about innocents who are murdered? For What? Time to Wake up!!

• Sparklet | Apr 05, 2011, 11:38 AM EDT

  Fuiseog, Catholics have more rights now than they did 30/40 years ago, and the majority of those who want a united Ireland don't want murder to achieve it.

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 05, 2011, 10:41 AM EDT

  Fuiseog – are you for real? The most basic human right is the right to life… Ronan Kerr had has life taken by people you support…nobody is compelled to make and plant bombs…you have some nerve invoking morality to justify what this anti-democratic, embittered and cowardly bunch of fascists have done.

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 05, 2011, 10:29 AM EDT

  Sirpete – I guess the family of Ronan Kerr will take great comfort that you ‘disagree’ with the murder…not deplore, condemn, but disagree…no government forced the anti-democratic, embittered and cowardly bunch of fascists to make and plant this bomb…blame the perpetrators, hunt them down and lock them away… they shame our country …they are the past…

• fuiseog | Apr 05, 2011, 10:25 AM EDT

  You got it wrong again Niall; England has forfitted any moral right to occupy or rule anywhere in Ireland. When we were forced to the streets in 1968, English supporters attacked and brutalised peaceful demonstrators. Then, the English sent in the regular army to stamp out dissent. For thirty years, we struggled alone against a modern equipped fighting force .... no arms from the US for us. The USA supported England in its claim to the right to subdue the Irish in their struggle for unity, sovernity, and independence. After thirty years, the US told us to accept the occupation or be branded as "terrorists". We were promised that we would get aid if bent to the will of the Anglo-Americans. We were given aid, but it turned out to be bank "bubble money". Two years ago, the aid vanished and Ireland owes billions, is bankrupt and has ceded one fifth of its territory to England. We cannot take our case to the UN (England or The US would veto any Irish request for a hearing). Is it any wonder that some young Irish people feel compelled to take matters into their own hands? When young Lybians do it; they get air support, why are the Irish blamed for struggling for human rights

• unconvinced | Apr 05, 2011, 07:46 AM EDT

  the more time goes on one can see just how farseical the GFA was, changing the goalposts to sutis republicians discrimating against prods to get RC inton the forse , breaking all the vetting rules so as to let IRA moles into it . How on earth does anyone expect a provence to prosper under this . God is not mocked- Let the death of this man be a timely warming that in the midst of life we are in death Everyones bounds are set and they cannot pass. Each of us are on this earth to parpare for the next. and if you are not saved you will end up in Hell.

• Dublinjas | Apr 05, 2011, 02:52 AM EDT

  sirpeter Give me a 'For 'Instance where the "Government Failure" Created the Murder of this young Police Officer ??

• Dublinjas | Apr 05, 2011, 02:47 AM EDT

  Couldn't agree more Niall, Put up huge rewards for information leading to the Arrest of these savages and you will soon see an end to these Scumbags and the sooner the better.

• sirpeter | Apr 04, 2011, 10:50 PM EDT

  ancavker..I have personally disagreed with this killing a good few times now. I support the GFA. I think it's a good fair agreement. I would hope they would give the GFA a chance. I didn't state that the British soldier who murdered the 12 year old girl in the back should be executed nor am I going to state whoever murdered Ronan Kerr should be executed either. There is enough posters on this site who are happy enough to use extreme violence on people whom THEY THEMSELVES judge to deserve it. From people who abuse children to people who neglect an animal.Some people on this site complain about harmless foul language but has no problem with a person posting that another human being should have his/her life taken away from him/her. I like to put the blame on government policy or government failures because it seems to me they are the ones who mostly create violent situations in the first place.

• haikued2 | Apr 04, 2011, 09:04 PM EDT

  Amen to that, Niall. Did anyone/group claim responsibility for this killing? Your clarion call for support of non-violence would be welcome in the US if it was also made by Muslim leaders and clerics. Killing seems to be something humans think will produce the results they want....sometimes, yes, sometimes no, but it is ridiculous today in Ireland. My Opinion.

• Gearoid4 | Apr 04, 2011, 08:13 PM EDT

  You make some decent points ancavker. The only path worth taking is for the present modus vivendi that has been established in the north to take it's course. The ambiguously worded Good Friday Agreement leaves room down the road for an agreed, United Ireland or the status quo of course. Sinn Fein sees that the potential behind this and are working on creating reawakening an all-Ireland consciousness.

• peterson | Apr 04, 2011, 08:01 PM EDT

  If they catch the culprits, hang 'em from a tree in the country and let 'em rot !!

• antoman | Apr 04, 2011, 07:23 PM EDT

  I dare type this.But I will say it.I can't discount the hand of her majestys secret service in this murder.Of a man just a few weeks in the job.The purpose being to 'prepare' the people for the visit of the Queen of England.To unite the community's.Ah sure go ahead and say conspiracy theory.Tis a theory anyway.

• seanomelbourne | Apr 04, 2011, 07:07 PM EDT

  Every decade for the last 100yrs.there has been violence in the north of Ireland,nothing has changed.

• moygannon | Apr 04, 2011, 06:32 PM EDT

  The old saying " give them enough rope and they will hang themselves" has run its course. Put some teeth in the Law that will support the police in bringing these thugs to justice and when convicted execute them. An eye for an eye.

• Ajreaper | Apr 04, 2011, 06:06 PM EDT

  I returned from Northern Ireland just a couple of weeks ago. No one who I met wanted to lose a single inch of ground that has been gained toward peace. As one cab driver told me "during the troubles there were about 35 hotels in the greater Belfast area and today there are over 200, peace is the greatest economic engine Northern Ireland could ever recieve and the best way to ensure equality- jobs and a higher standard of living crosses all religious and political boundries". Peace will better everyones lives and 99% of the people understand that and want that.

• modemo44 | Apr 04, 2011, 05:39 PM EDT

  Violence is never the answer. My sympathy to his family and friends.

• CanadianPat | Apr 04, 2011, 05:05 PM EDT

  Niall, Have not always agreed with you, but never realized what a blow-hard you were till your last posting to Belcarra!He may be a fool ,but don't mistake all your readers for fools!

• feniannj | Apr 04, 2011, 03:30 PM EDT

  kilsally..do you really believe that security for the north is in the hands of the PSNI (RUC)??? The devolved powers for the judiciary may handle everyday criminality, but the special powers legislation is still alive an well for Republicans. The key word here is, 'devolution,' this is partionist thinking. The Irish Federal Solution (Eire Nua) would provide for an independent judiciary.

• feniannj | Apr 04, 2011, 03:21 PM EDT

  kilsally.... I would like to answer your question concerning the difference between the current Belfast assmb. and a Ulster parliment under the fed. proposal. An Ulster parliment within the federal setup would provide access to authentic power-sharing, verse the current unworkable arrangement. Upon a British declaration of intent to withdraw from Ireland; a constituent assembly would be formed to draft a new all-Ireland constitution incorporating a bill of rights, an independent judiciary and so on. What exists now is brit fostered fear and discontent that only serves the parties that are vested in the current partitionist setup.

• Kilsally | Apr 04, 2011, 03:20 PM EDT

  @feniannj policing and justice is a devolved matter for the northern Irish parties with the ministry currently held by the Alliance Party (David Ford is Justice Minister) so pleae tell me how `the brits` are using it to divide the community? THe elections will tell us how `divided` the community is - if anything like the last time the `divide` will be dissidents 1% everyone else 99%

• feniannj | Apr 04, 2011, 03:08 PM EDT

  ancavker....I agree, it is terrible; it wouldn't be the way I would handle it, but the big picture is, the brits are using this institution (PSNI) to divide the community even further, and project a image of normalization. History shows the brits can never be trusted to repect the will of the Irish. What is the cost for a temporary lull in violence. The brits must declare an intent to withdraw under the auspices of the Irish formulated federal solution; it is the most viable route to a just and lasting peace.

• citizen69 | Apr 04, 2011, 02:36 PM EDT

  Honourable words Niall but i don't think it is going to happen. A similar thing happened two years ago when catholic police officer Stephen Carroll was murdered. A huge wave of condemnation happened then too but to no avail. The wave of revulsion was soon forgotten & his murderers remain un-convicted. The dissident killers continued with their murder attempts on Catholic & Protestant officers. A few survived bomb blasts with severe injuries and it's only been pure luck that more hadn't been murdered before this weekend. It seems like almost every week whole communities are evacuated from their homes while police deal with devices left everywhere from school buildings to inside children's bicycles. There must be people out there who see these people in action or know who they are. They must come forward. These dissident republicans have utterly no right to go against the democratic wishes of the vast majority of people in Ireland. There is no god given right to fight for a United Ireland. These people represent nobody but their own tiny band of thugs.

• Niall O'Dowd | Apr 04, 2011, 02:31 PM EDT

  Belcarra, sorry to disappoint you but I never raised money for theIRA and never embraced killing.If you took the time to check it out I was involved in getting the republican movement away from violence and into full time politics

• cillowen | Apr 04, 2011, 02:13 PM EDT

  stand up Neil and join the british Army - the queen geldorf and bono and Tony O'Reilly and ....will love you for it. no wonder those crazies go nuts. Obama - not being allowed to step over the border - has to go to London first.

• ancavker | Apr 04, 2011, 01:37 PM EDT

  sirpeter: Leave the hurt behind? Please man up and condemn this for what it was murder.

• ancavker | Apr 04, 2011, 01:36 PM EDT

  feniannj: It is time to move on at this point. And I am a nationalist and well versed in Irish history. This was the murder of a Catholic nationalist policeman, in a nationalist area. There is no justification for this.

• ancavker | Apr 04, 2011, 01:32 PM EDT

  clevelander: The Irish people voted in `98 for the GFA. It has ended the violence, and the Catholic/Nationalist people now have a say in how the north will be governed. Plus the Unionists have accepted the all Ireland dimension, while Nationalists have accepted continued British sovereignty for now. It is called a compromise. Violence will not reunite Ireland.If it happens it will happen through peaceful means. Also do you really think that the 2 entities could be reunited at this point in time? The south's economy is in a shambles, and the north is asubsidized welfare state.

• ancavker | Apr 04, 2011, 01:26 PM EDT

  falls Not disagreeing with you totally. But keep in mind we had democracy in action in 1918, and Ulster said no. Just trying to keep you honest.

• ancavker | Apr 04, 2011, 01:24 PM EDT

  kilsally: Have to agree with you as far as a federal system. Ireland (the whole country ) is too small for that kind of decentralization. However, the six county state could have had its own parliament in an all Ireland federation under Collins plans. But Ulster of course said no.

• michaelidaho | Apr 04, 2011, 01:13 PM EDT

  So sad and tragic. My heart goes out to their grieving family. I can not imagine any human being committing such a senseless, premeditated, cold blooded killing. This young man was simply doing his part to help build a more just society in Northern Ireland and leave the past behind.

• Kilsally | Apr 04, 2011, 12:57 PM EDT

  @clevelander I never mentioned a United Ireland. I said that if the Irish people think Ireland is `unfree` then they will vote en masse for dissident politicians standing for election in 30 days time for the Northern Ireland Assembly (wont happen as like before they will get maybe 1% of the vote). The people of Northern Ireland have clearly voted for Belfast rule not Dublin or London rule but alas nothing but `Dublin rule` will do for some nutters. The Eire Nua proposals for a federal Ireland with an Assembly in each province is interesting but forgets that the population of the whole island is only 5/6 million (one million of who are Unionist / Orange Irish). And what exactly is the big difference between a Belfast Assembly under Eire Nua and the Belfast Assembly we have now?

• FallsRNat | Apr 04, 2011, 12:47 PM EDT

  MrSinatra - Britain doesn't leave NI, because the majority of the people who live in ulster want to remain british, that's democracy in action for you. Also the people of the south also voted to accept the status quo through their support of the GFA. We cannot hope to achieve peace through the violence of a small minority who wish to impose their will on the majority. If the british left NI, 99% of the ulsterman would go 40% of the NI catholics for purely economic reasons, I don't about you, but the prospect of a southern state taking over an empty 6 counties doesn't appeal to me as surely the irish question has been about uniting the people not the land. If u wish the latter, then, continue to support the dissidents. My family are steeped in the IR tradition, I have lost family & friends on both sides in the troubles, if the whole point was for an exodus of 1.2m people back to where there forefathers came from, then I cannot accept that. Also where does this leave Australia, NZ, US where the indigenous population have been uprooted & taken over by the immigrants. If u are saying return Ireland back to the irish (which irish these are is a moot point), then the US has to go back to the Indians etc

• FallsRNat | Apr 04, 2011, 12:35 PM EDT

  niall, it's a pity these views didn't hold sway in the 60s/70s, alot of good people on both sides, british soldiers, RUC lost their lives in a sordid little war which achieved nothing for anybody.

• mcdolan | Apr 04, 2011, 12:28 PM EDT

  Hear hear! But please be advised that it is now believed the killers live in or are based in the Republic. Whatever side of the 'border' and in whatever hole they are, the killers need to be found and made an example of...enough is far too much, and we are gone beyond some lunatic fantasy thinking.

• clevelander | Apr 04, 2011, 11:53 AM EDT

  @ kilsally "right so in the Assembly elections in 30 days we will see the people of Northern Ireland vote for the dissident candidates to free Ireland yes?" I think it's cute that you still think a politician or politics will bring about a united Ireland. It's not going to happen! Many have tried in the past and too what ends? If I thought for one minute that a United Ireland could be brought about by the vote I would jump in with both feet and help in any way possible. But let's be honest It's NOT going to happen. Period. Also the so called dissident's are just the opposite. They have not dissented from anything!! The Provo Sinn Fein are the dissidents. They left republican principles years ago.

• nicgearailt | Apr 04, 2011, 11:53 AM EDT

  This is the act of cowards...it's the essence of cowardice...a young man ,husband and father,son and brother,callously murdered by the scum of the earth..inhumanity at it's lowest what a noble response by the man's wife... wish his family courage strength and faith at this sad ,sad time in our history.. He is with the Lord..peace..

• sirpeter | Apr 04, 2011, 11:52 AM EDT

  ancavker..Of course it's a response to past deeds.The legacy of those past deeds are still in the hearts of some men and women. I don't condone this killing.But it's not easy for some to leave the hurt behind..It will take time.

• tippboy | Apr 04, 2011, 11:49 AM EDT

  Let's not make excuses for these cowardly scum as if, somehow, past transgressions of the British and Unionist governments justify their actions. They are nothing but common criminals. Until the majority of people in N. Ireland want a United Ireland it will not happen. Anyway, looking at how things have been totally messed up in the South, I suspect that it would be difficult to find even a majority of so-called Nationalists who would be in favor of union with that failed State.

• feniannj | Apr 04, 2011, 11:40 AM EDT

  The author of this article either lacks knowledge of age old British colonial tactics, or is part of the problem in Ireland all together. Loss of life in this complicated conflict is always a tragedy, and my sincere condolences go out to the Kerr family. The stark reality is that the British still maintain direct sovereignty in the occupied six counties, and have indirect influence via the criminals that operate the Dublin administration in the 26 counties. The PSNI (RUC) is a cosmetic change in the north, and is part of the British normalization campaign in the occupied six counties. Any Irish person that is genuinely interested in a just and lasting peace should reject this absurd attempt by the Brits to further divide a community. The author of this article is somewhat clever in propaganda tactics, but is way over the top in speaking for the entire Irish race. The only, ‘dissidents,’ this author is referring to are the provisional movement who dissented from Irish Republican principles long ago, and now administer British rule in Ireland. The Irish Republican movement will never accept British rule in Ireland in any form, and will continue to resist this tyranny until it is gone. The Irish Federal peace Proposal (Eire Nua) is genuine Irish proposal for a just and lasting peace in Ireland, and should be reviewed and supported by all Irish people seeking a peaceful, sovereign Irish nation.

• MrSinatra | Apr 04, 2011, 11:37 AM EDT

  Niall finally writes something i agree with, but the bigger question is why does england leave india, hong kong, indonesia, canada, austraila, but not ireland? east and west germany reunite, the soviets fall, but england still lays claim to n.ireland? insane. england should return what isn't theirs and pay reparations by assuming some of the current national debt.

• Kilsally | Apr 04, 2011, 11:32 AM EDT

  @clevelander `IRELAND UNFREE SHALL NEVER BE AT PEACE". It is sad but very true.` right so in the Assembly elections in 30 days we will see the people of Northern Ireland vote for the dissident candidates to free Ireland yes? @ancavker I will have to disagree as I can point you to many testimonies by former Catholic RUC Officers (or try googling it) - like I said it was Unionist and if you will anti-Irish Republican not anti-Catholic - tie that to the fact that SF-IRA did the exact same thing in targeting Catholic officers (specifically and police officers generally) as the dissidents are doing now but to a larger extent and you ended up with thr skewed demographic. But things have changed for the better on all sides and there is no going back - the people Loyalist and Republican, Orange Irish and Green Irish do not want it.

• belcarra | Apr 04, 2011, 11:27 AM EDT

  So Niall when did you change your mind about killings in northern ireland, you once embraced it and helped raise money for the cause,

• belcarra | Apr 04, 2011, 11:19 AM EDT

  so Niall when did you change your mind about killings in northern ireland, you once embraced it and helped raise money for the cause.

• Shannonjackson | Apr 04, 2011, 11:11 AM EDT

  AMEN!

• clevelander | Apr 04, 2011, 11:07 AM EDT

  As a former Police Officer I also call for the removal of "northen Ireland killers". I speak of the british military, and there so called Police Force. I could document hundreds of murders, beatings,framed young men and women along with other despicable acts carried out by the people who were supposed to protect and help there community. As a former Police Officer I feel sad for Ronan and hope that something like this never happens again. But the reality is as long as the british government lay's claim to any part of Ireland this will happen over and over again. There is a lot of blame to go around on both sides. But as a smart man once said " IRELAND UNFREE SHALL NEVER BE AT PEACE". It is sad but very true.

• clevelander | Apr 04, 2011, 11:05 AM EDT

  As a former Police Officer I also call for the removal of "northen Ireland killers". I speak of the british military, and there so called Police Force. I could document hundreds of murders, beatings,framed young men and women along with other despicable acts carried out by the people who were supposed to protect and help there community. As a former Police Officer I feel sad for Ronan and hope that something like this never happens again. But the reality is as long as the british government lay's claim to any part of Ireland this will happen over and over again. There is a lot of blame to go around on both sides. But as a smart man once said "

• CitizenWhy | Apr 04, 2011, 11:04 AM EDT

  The political fact in Northern Ireland has shifted to civil rights and power sharing among the different NI communities, with the eventual devolvement of government to be decided by the people of NI. This leaves the old purely nationalist IRA out of the process, but not IRA people who accept the shift and still stand as a safeguard of civil rights for Catholics. Condemning this killing of a young policeman should be done, whether on humanitarian grounds or political grounds or both. When a vote comes on whether to join the Republic, there is no guarantee that the Catholics of NI will vote to join the Republic, especially seeing how the Republic is governed and how it has foolishly joined the Euro, thus surrendering an important pillar of sovereignty to the bankers of Europe. Under current circumstances no unelected group has the right to speak for the Catholic communities of northern Ireland.

• CanadianPat | Apr 04, 2011, 10:54 AM EDT

  The Dissidents are politically and morally bankrupted! They serve no cause but anarchy and disgrace the nobel Irish Republican cause. The PSNI may yet have a long way to go in being a truely impartial police force but they are a big improvement over the RUC .Killing young Cathlics who join the force will not help.

• antoman | Apr 04, 2011, 10:51 AM EDT

  The words spoken by Ronan Kerr's aggrieved mother are far better and more expressive and representative of all the people than any words you will find on this website.R.I.P Ronan Kerr.

• RickBarrett | Apr 04, 2011, 10:49 AM EDT

  There is no finer human being on the planet than an Irish Catholic policeman. The first one in the USA, Polce Constable Jeremiah H. Sullivan, was a Kerryman, appointed to the Chicago Police Department in March of 1840. Jeremiah was part of an early department dominated by Protestants and yes, during the early stages of all of the Amrican city police departments, Catholics had a rough way to go and no better example of it is that of Constable James Quinn, a Kilkenny man, who had been elected to the Office of Constable in Chicago in March of 1853 when hatred for Catholics in elected positions was at an all time high. He was targeted so that he would be discouraged from running for office again and in fact was beat to death by a Know Nothing just 3 months before the next election. In 1891, the daughter of a Limerick man, Marie Connelly Owens, became the first woman police officer in the USA. She was an Irish Catholic too and was appointed to office over the strong objections of the ruling Protestant elite "carriage women" of Chicago who insisted that "their" people be hired over a catholic woman. But despite the intial difficulties and senseless tragedies, like Quinn, what followed were oceans of proud young Catholic sons and daughters of Erin in the police services in America. It took a long time for Irish Catholic policemen to be accpeted in America and sadly, I suspect the same will be true in NI. God Bless Officer Kerr and his family.

• ancavker | Apr 04, 2011, 10:31 AM EDT

  kilsally Not taht it matters at this point, but it was anti-Catholic, and Catholics did not join becauase it was anti-Catholic. I suggest you speak to some of the old timers (prior to the 1968) to find out just how the RUC treated Catholics.

• ancavker | Apr 04, 2011, 10:28 AM EDT

  sirpeter: This killing has nothing to do with British aggression or terror in Ireland. This was a cold blooded killing of a young man who was serving his community, in a force that now finally represented both Catholics and Protestants. Please do not justify this killing as a response to past deeds. It was horrific and totally unjustified, and it reflects poorly on the Irish people. It is time for these so called dissidents to pack it in and stop the madness. My hearr felt condolences to his family.

• dmdowner | Apr 04, 2011, 10:19 AM EDT

  This a dispicable act. The person who did this is not a patriot but a cold-blooded murderer. My brother is also a policeman and they lay their lives on the line every day to help people. This act is most cowardly and I hope the person responsible is caught and punished. My deepest sympathy to his family.

• Kilsally | Apr 04, 2011, 10:15 AM EDT

  But kudos to Martin Mcguinness for the very strong condemnation. A step in the right direction for all the people of Northern Ireland.

• Kilsally | Apr 04, 2011, 10:14 AM EDT

  @manhattan "For so long catholics could not become an officer in a force dominated by protestants," the figure sat at 8% Catholic for decades. It wasnt anti Catholic but it was Unionist. The statements issued by these dissident groups `explaining` their actions are word for word identical to Sinn Fein statements issued in previous decades - catholics were intimidated from joining just as the dissidents are trying to do now.

• Kilsally | Apr 04, 2011, 10:06 AM EDT

  Well spoken - and thank you for calling these soul-less murderers what they are: cowards, thugs, terrorists, killers. Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness bravely said "The people who murdered Ronan Kerr .... need to bring these activities to an immediate end." Well, thank you Martin. Another brave soul said that these people should reconsider their strategy. How, by not using a bomb next time - as it is too bloody and offends Irish sensibilities? These murdering thugs should be hunted down and brought to justice - and justice should be a life sentence without parole. Of course that won't happen. Even if caught and found guilty, Ronan Kerr's family will have to be satisfied with a prison term of a few years.

• Rebelforce | Apr 04, 2011, 09:55 AM EDT

  These dopey dissidents murder Catholics, are against Catholics in the police service, are against having Sinn Fein in the government. What is the difference between these jerks and a British loyalist murder gang on the Shankill Road?

• manhattan | Apr 04, 2011, 09:55 AM EDT

  That is the work of cowards. Instead of working to make things better in N.I. they kill this young man for no other reason then he's a catholic on the police force. For so long catholics could not become an officer in a force dominated by protestants, it shows these maniacs want to keep the bloodshed going. I pray no americans will arm them this time.

• sirpeter | Apr 04, 2011, 09:54 AM EDT

  Well at least the Irish have a good name worldwide. I guess that's why people from other nations who don't have a good name worldwide steal our passports. But sorry Neill as part of the Irish race I feel saddened,but I don't feel disgraced or guilty.Dissident IRA killings are a product of generations of British policy in Ireland and Protestant discrimination towards Catholics.Let them feel disgraced.As you said Irish people have a good name around the world.

• Kilsally | Apr 04, 2011, 09:44 AM EDT

  This is what it is going to take to slay the dissident menace. Not a police response or military response as that is what they want but a response from within the Republican / Nationalist communities, such as this, condemning them and supporting the rule of law. As a Unionist I`m afraid I have no power to affect the dissidents mindset - only other Republicans can do it - hence the dissidents specific targeting of Catholic police officers

• Hannah1879 | Apr 04, 2011, 09:26 AM EDT

  So sad about this fine young man. What a waste. Prayers are with his family at this time.