Irish hunger strike

[tinkerbell23]

Can someone explain the whos and whys of this to me!?

VERY SIMPLY lol

I did read wikipedia........

I find the politics difficult

Reason is i know many who are passionate about this and i would like to understand!!!

As i say...simply please!!! X

[MarkRae]

I appreciate your saying that you're not particularly political, Tinks, but that's really the only way to understand this. One man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist. Nelson Mandela was a terrorist...

[sandyRoe]

Bloody Sunday started with a peaceful civil rights march. The British Government ordered a unit from 2nd Parachute Reg into the city days before it was to start. This unit had already shot dead 10 people, including a priest, in Belfast.
When a riot started after the march the Paras did open fire and some of them did shoot whoever they felt like.

[paddywak]

Just a point tink, these men were treated as criminals because from the view point of many people they were criminals, any soldier who went round planting bombs in public places targeting women and children, civilians all, would be tried for war crimes. In the eye of a lot of people Bobby Sands and company weren't soldiers they were murderers., but as has already been stated it's a very complicated and emotional subject.

[craft1948]

I am not disagreeing with the fact that the soldiers shot unarmed civilians, but I think to say they just shot who they liked is a great over-simplification of the situation.

[tinkerbell23]

Just read it again craft...and thats kind of how i see that one! No rhyme or reason to me

Thanks paddy...i know its a sensitive subject and im limited to what i can learn i suppose! Just interests me

Thanks all x

[ummmm]

[tinkerbell23]

So they murdered people, possesed firearms etc...
But claim it was all in the name of politics....
And not just "bad people"

Again not my opinion x

[MarkRae]

That's a gross over-simplification, Tinks, and doesn't even scratch the surface.

I'm afraid this really can't be synopsised...

[ummmm]

They were fighting for a united Ireland....

England 'owned' the whole of Ireland...they gave 26 counties back (south) and kept 6 counties (north)

[tinkerbell23]

Ok. More research needed on my part!

Thanks!
X

[ummmm]

Read up on the famine....

[MarkRae]

Tinks, I wish you all success in your research, and I hope that it will show you that nothing exists in isolation and that history and politics are inextricably linked.

The Irish troubles (for want of a better word, but that's how this period of history is known) is fascinating, and if your study of it leads you to an even deeper hatred of Margaret Thatcher, then I couldn't be happier!

[paddywak]

As mark says tink you can't just read a couple of books and understand literally hundreds of years of conflict. People have spent years studying the history of "The Troubles" and they still don't really understand it.

[tinkerbell23]

Haha mark! Thanks!

Most i know hate her lol...x

[paddywak]

They didn't just keep the six counties, tink, the majority of people in those counties didn't want to be Irish they wanted to be British

[MarkRae]

> you can't just read a couple of books and understand literally hundreds of years of conflict.

Absolutely! But that's a great place to start... :-)

[ummmm]

My Grandad doesn't....he was a Maggie lover and an IRA sympathiser...

Maggie made him money....lot's of it.

[paddywak]

True mark, you've got to start somewhere.

[tinkerbell23]

Aiming for a basic understanding to be honest...alot of friends / family are passionate as i said....

Few books ..dvds....is a start!

My immediate family ie dad granda dont mention ira etc....
However hate maggie ...various reasons...bit before my time!

Mabye ill look her up next haha!!

There are alot of irish where i stay or irish descendants which is probs why i hear so much about it all x