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.
Tags: Conflict
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O’Toole’s New Republic – unfinished business or just a dream?
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Kevin Myers’ ‘Watching the Door’: Book Review
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Worth noting Mick, that according to the BBC report -
The 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?
I 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.
“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.
Do you approve of the police action, elfinto?
Elfinto,
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
Gav,
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).
Sorry 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
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.
“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.
Language 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”
Sammy Duddy of the uff’s political wing said the boys were there to organise a Latina night.
Right on, Sammy.
The 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.
“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
Arn’t the loyalists just fighting themselves? So how would the republicans have reacted to that in the bad old days?
It’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
What 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’
“upsurge in unionist paramilitary activity”
What upsurge?
Yet another loyalist punishment shooting last night in Rathcoole.
How 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
It’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!
That PB 7 one was posted by urquhart
Elfinto, Why should the police be “embarassed by the recent informer allegations” and why would it prompt this raid were it so?
Lah-dee-dah
“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.
23 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.
“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”
Elfinto,
I think you should refrain from making such prejudical comments.
It may not be just a straightforward as the “lets kill any oul fenian” theory you offer up.
I didn’t make the comment you quoted, Realist.
However, unless you know otherwise, the basic facts described above seem to point towards the UDA trying to prove that they are still in business after the Alexandra raid by trying to murder / terrorise an easy target. It’s a very familar modus operandi for such lowlifes.
elfinto
who called the UDA lowlifes? they are the men.