Real Irish Republican Army

  1. LeninBalls
    LeninBalls
    What are your thoughts on them? I've been reading a bit about 'em. They still seem true to the cause ("Once again, Óglaigh na hÉireann declares the right of the Irish people to the ownership of Ireland. We call on all volunteers loyal to the Irish Republic to unite to uphold the Republic and establish a permanent national parliament representative of all the people", "After the Omagh bombing, the RIRA leadership were unwilling to launch a full-scale campaign in Northern Ireland due to the possibility of civilians being killed.") but at the same time they seem splintered, disorganized and small. I've also read recently they beat up a Catholic family because the house-head was a member of the PSNI. I don't know if it's true or not.

    I dunno, like I said they're small and pretty ineffective (the Omagh Bombing was a disaster, too...) but apart from the CIRA, they're the republican's only means of an armed struggle, but as far as I know most Irish people in the North don't want an armed struggle anymore.

    What's their relationship with the CIRA too? They both split from the PIRA and they both have the same status and goals, it's pretty dumb to be so sectarian.

    So? Any links or books, etc to them would be pretty nice, as well.
  2. PRC-UTE
    PRC-UTE
    the only book I know of was written by Paul Williams, a hack journalist who made his career writing about gangsters and the INLA. so I wouldn't recommend that. I'd recommend reading the newspaper put out by the 32csm, the Sovereign Nation.

    when the reals started up I had some respect for them. They drew in a lot of veteran PIRA Volunteers. Their ASU in England was impressive, hitting mi5 with a rocket and bombing the BBC. I've campaigned for some of their prisoners. But they haven't done much lately, and tarnished their attack on Massarene by describing pizza men as collaborators. They attacked the family of a PSNI officer as you mentioned, I believe they targetted his family's car

    It seems they can't break out of the mould from doing the same things republicans did decades ago but hoping for different results.
  3. LeninBalls
    LeninBalls
    Apparently they're linked to the 32CSM, which on wiki claims is socialist. So is anyone in the RIRA actually a socialist or are they just disgruntled PIRA men
  4. PRC-UTE
    PRC-UTE
    I know a few members of the 32csm that woudl identify with socialism. most however would be anti-socialist. some extremely so, adn the 32csm would have a few middle class and even rich people in its ranks. I've known some that have lost their tempers with irps and violently condemned our socialist politics- it was numerous occasions, but to name one example, they get enraged over the IRSM putting the red flag first in their colour parties, lol. overall the irps and 32s get along well, though.

    the groups cohesion is in being anti-occupation. I wouldn't consider them anti-imperialist in our sense of being that way. they'd end up doing a deal with the Brits if they got the chance, and create something like a 32 county Free State.

    like I said, I know some elements in them that will defend socialism and socialist revolutions, but the group as a whole isn't that way. remember they want the UN to resolve the national question lol
  5. The Deepest Red
    The Deepest Red
    I know (or rather I knew) a 32 CSM member who was a Maoist but then I also encountered a leading member who laughed in my face when I said I was a socialist. The RIRA (or the RIRAs) have the same politics from what I've heard and as has already been mentioned on this thread they seem determined to flog the dead horse of individual terrorism/"armed struggle" with so far predictably disastrous results. I've never understood the IRSP's association with the 32 CSM. From the periphery looking in it always seemed to me like the 32s dictated matters by insisting on minimum, lowest common denominator issues so as not to alienate pro-capitalist and other reactionary Republicans. Also since the IRSP proclaims not to believe in the "stages" theory it's surprising to see them work with a strictly nationalist organisation.

    I'm ashamed to say I actually once believed The Nation needed protecting from the evils of socio-economic issues.
  6. Hoggy_RS
    Hoggy_RS
    I have no time for the RIRA or 32CSM. If they can't see the link between republicanism and socialism, then they are not worth working with in my eyes. I worry about the people in their ranks who are right wing, as i do with RSF.
  7. PRC-UTE
    PRC-UTE
    I know (or rather I knew) a 32 CSM member who was a Maoist but then I also encountered a leading member who laughed in my face when I said I was a socialist. The RIRA (or the RIRAs) have the same politics from what I've heard and as has already been mentioned on this thread they seem determined to flog the dead horse of individual terrorism/"armed struggle" with so far predictably disastrous results. I've never understood the IRSP's association with the 32 CSM. From the periphery looking in it always seemed to me like the 32s dictated matters by insisting on minimum, lowest common denominator issues so as not to alienate pro-capitalist and other reactionary Republicans. Also since the IRSP proclaims not to believe in the "stages" theory it's surprising to see them work with a strictly nationalist organisation.

    I'm ashamed to say I actually once believed The Nation needed protecting from the evils of socio-economic issues.
    I think the irps were hoping to push the 32's to a more leftist perspective. Some comrades of the IRSP most pushing for some kind of working relationship were those with a solid political analysis.

    I think it would be worth the effort if the 32's had like a large number of members and supports, but they don't. They're quite small, probably the smallest republican formation, and there's no real chance that will change soon.

    also your comment about "lowest common denominator" is dead on accurate
  8. The Deepest Red
    The Deepest Red
    I think the irps were hoping to push the 32's to a more leftist perspective.
    And after several years of working together (well, organising joint commemorations and meetings to give the 32 CSM a platform) this has not materialised. The IRSP should drop them like a hot potato. The INLA's recent announcement, while blown out of proportion by many, is nevertheless a step in the right direction and hopefully it allows the IRSP to shed the wasters and function as a serious political organisation.
    They're quite small, probably the smallest republican formation, and there's no real chance that will change soon.
    Hopefully not.
  9. Andropov
    Andropov
    It seemes like the RSM's official links with the 32s is coming with an end through the decemation of the IRFU.
    It really hasnt achieved the desired results.
  10. The Deepest Red
    The Deepest Red
    The Omagh Bombing was a disaster, too...
    Personally I believe that horrific incident was the work of Irish and British intelligence. At the very least they knew about it well in advance as it was their agent (who was also working for the FBI) that chose Omagh courthouse as the target. And I doubt very much that's been the only so-called dissident Republican attack spooks are in some way responsible for.
  11. PRC-UTE
    PRC-UTE
    Personally I believe that horrific incident was the work of Irish and British intelligence. At the very least they knew about it well in advance as it was their agent (who was also working for the FBI) that chose Omagh courthouse as the target. And I doubt very much that's been the only so-called dissident Republican attack spooks are in some way responsible for.
    right, it seems it was the FBI above all pushing for that, but the RIRA had carried out other attacks similar to that at the time- any could have gone wrong and created such a result. their bombing campaign made no sense.
  12. The Deepest Red
    The Deepest Red
    right, it seems it was the FBI above all pushing for that, but the RIRA had carried out other attacks similar to that at the time- any could have gone wrong and created such a result. their bombing campaign made no sense.
    Agreed.
  13. vivapalestina
    vivapalestina
    Apparently they're linked to the 32CSM, which on wiki claims is socialist. So is anyone in the RIRA actually a socialist or are they just disgruntled PIRA men
    They are most definatly linked with the 32CSM, they do have a marxist on the 32s their leaders, who might also have links to a certain army council.

    On their numbers, they are growing, and growing strong. but there is no point in working with them, they are looking for beaugois socialism, not real change.