Northern Ireland attacks
For most of my life I was taught that whenever I went out I had to be vigilant especially when I was in London for University. There was even a time when rubbish bins were removed from the streets incase there were any attacks. For the past ten years it was nice to live in a world of peace between two countries. But on Saturday there was an attack on a barracks in Northern Ireland which killed two soliders, they say the IRA did it. Haven't we got enough terror in this world which threatens us all. I hope this can all be settled peacefully and things aren't about to go backwards.

Waresl, I share your despair. The most shocking thing for me, apart from the sheer unexpected nature of the attack, were the circumstances. These soldiers (from the 38th Regiment Engineers) were actually dressed in their desert khakis, as they were due to fly out for a tour in Afghanistan. When their plane was delayed by a few hours, they ordered pizza and it was while this was being delivered that the 'Real IRA' gunmen struck.Two other soldiers were seriously wounded and also two delivery men. As the mother of a soldier due a tour in Afghanistan in October, all I keep thinking about is the families of those two boys. How they must have steeled themselves for the Afghanistan posting, only to have this happen a few hours before they were due to leave. It just makes me want to weep. The Real IRA is a splinter group from the IRA (who has largely been taking part in the peace process) and is said to have been working independently. Gordon Brown has said this will not signal a return of British soldiers on the streets of Northern Ireland and I pray that he's right, for the every soldier's mother and for all the mothers of Northern Ireland. :hug :The General: Stevie

I can understand and share your despair, too. Personally, I would have never expected that the IRA could strike again, as the season of IRA attacks seemed to be over for good. :hug

By all accounts, the provisional IRA have decommissioned their weapons, ceased their attacks and now use the ballot box to participate in the peace process in Northern Ireland. This group is a self-style group of a few dozen calling themselves the Real IRA and acting independently of it - they are said to have got their weapons by raiding PIRA arms dumps before de-commissioning. Hopefully, both the British and Irish governments will not let such mindless violence threaten the peace protest.

We didn't hear much about this in the U.S. I hope that it doesn't re-create the problems of the past. and that we as human beings can learn from our past mistakes.

A police officer has now been killed. Although it has not been publicised that it was the same fraction group. The officers were called to a domestic incident when they were ambushed. The ballot box does seem to be the way forward for the majority but the selfish few that just want to cause harm to their own community seems beyond belief. Stevie T I'm sure your son will be fine, my prayers are with all those that serve.

Just deplorable. I'm so sorry for the families of these men. How very,very sad.