Northwestern Europe Terrorism

Updated by Robert B on April 16, 2014

Defining Terrorism:“The definition of terrorism is subjectively defined by societal inputs and the perspective one has. What one holds out as terrorism, another may describe as revolutionary, or freedom fighting. These subjective inputs and perspective have a powerful effect on whether acts performed in the quest to achieve desired goals are ultimately seen as terrorism or fighting for freedom (Gaines, p. 109). States have defined terrorism broadly, such as the Russian parliament’s definition; “terrorism is the ideology and practice of violence for the influencing of decision-making by government authorities, local authorities, and international organizations, involving the frightening of the population and (or) other forms of illegal violent actions” (Hughes, p. 296). The United States defines with a similar broad definition of, “using illegal force or violence against people or assets, in order to scare or force a government, civilian population or parts of it, so that social and political goals are achieved” (Cohen, p. 19). These broad definitions seem to imply any violence against the government is an act of terrorism, including popular insurgencies or other armed conflicts” (Barger).

June 1, 2001: Real IRA bomb explodes on Hammersmith Bridge, London

March 4, 2001: The Real IRA detonate a car bomb outside the BBC’s main news centre in London. One London Underground worker suffered deep cuts to his eye from flying glass and some damage was caused to the front of the building.
April 16, 2001: Hendon post office bombed by the Real IRA.
May 6, 2001: The Real IRA detonate a bomb in a London postal sorting office. One person was injured.
August 3, 2001: A Real IRA Bomb in Britain explodes in Ealing, West London, injuring seven peoplle.
November 4, 2001: Real IRA car bomb explodes in Birmingham
July 7, 2005: The 7 July 2005 London bombings conducted by four separate Islamist extremist suicide bombers, killing 56 people and injuring 700.
January-February 2007: The 2007 United Kingdom letter bombs
June 30, 2007: 2007 Glasgow International Airport attack perpetrated by Islamist extremists.

May 22, 2008: Exeter bombing by an Islamist extremist, injuring only the perpetrator.

On March 30, 2011 Rajib Karim, an IT worker for British Airways, was convicted and sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment for supplying information about airlines to al Qaida terrorists in Yemen.

Posted by Robert B on April 16, 2014

Extremists and the ‘Trojan Horse’ approach in state schools
From the Telegraph, 3-9-2014 – click here for full article.

The Telegraph has reported that Islamic extremist have calculated a plan to take over public schools in the city of Birmingham by using tactics to “undermine the headteachers and ensure they were “run on Islamic principles”.”

“They had already, they claimed, caused “a great amount of organised disruption” in the city and “as a result now have our own academies and are on the way to getting rid of more headteachers and taking over their schools. Whilst sometimes the practices we use may not seem the correct way to do things you must remember that this is ‘jihad’ and as such using all measures possible to win the war is acceptable.””.

For recent terrorism news about the United Kingdom follow this link to the Telegraph UK Terrorism pages.

Updated by Robert B on April 16, 2014

“In 1921, Ireland achieved independence from the United Kingdom, while Northern Ireland was partitioned off and remained in the United Kingdom. This created a Protestant majority, loyal to the British with a Catholic minority. In 1969 violent clashes ensued and British troops were deployed to ensure peace. An armed Irish Republican Army was founded in 1970, to protect the Catholic areas. When Britain dissolved Northern Ireland’s parliament and assumed direct control of Northern Ireland in 1972 the Irish Republican Army transformed into what they called “freedom fighters against an illegal occupation by a foreign power” (Commercial Appeal). The Irish Republican Army is reported to be responsible for the deaths of 1,775 people from 1970 until 2005, and is responsible, through the acts of terrorism, to have injured thousands more. Of the 1,775 people, roughly one-third were reported as civilians, and of those most were Protestant. The others reported were military, police, government, or Irish Republican Army members. In July 1997, the Irish Republican Army announced a cease-fire and started working towards a diplomatic solution to bring peace to all of Ireland (Commercial Appeal). Sinn Fein, a republican and labor party in Ireland, heralds the work of the Irish Republican Army, calling them “The People’s Army” and outlines a timeline of political accomplishments and efforts by the Irish Republican Army to bring equality and peace to all of Ireland. In July 2002, the Irish Republican Army issued official apologies for killing noncombatants, acknowledged mistakes and the grief the organization’s actions caused and reaffirmed a commitment to continuing a peaceful process towards the Irish Republican Army’s goals. Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom, however since the signing of the Good Friday agreement in 1998, Northern Ireland is essentially a self-governing state and, under the terms of the agreement, cooperates with Ireland in policy with a formal process for resolving disagreements when one exists (Sinn Fein). The Irish Republican Army is a recent example of a state, the United Kingdom, subjected by the Irish Republican Army’s actions classifying those involved as terrorists versus an the minority Catholics and many Irish people around the world supporting these efforts as those of a freedom fighter” (From “Perspective on Terrorism: Freedom Fighter or Terrorist”, Barger, 12 Oct 2013).

Posted by Robert B on April 16, 2014

“…Almost 16 years since the signing of the Good Friday peace accord, a small number of Irish Republicans continue to support the use of force to end British rule of Northern Ireland. They have failed to garner much support, but they do mount sporadic gun and bomb attacks on the police.

In a symbolic gesture designed to show the extent of the reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland since the accord was signed, a former Irish Republican Army commander, Martin McGuinness, shook hands and raised a toast to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth at a gala ball in Windsor Castle this week, during the first official visit to Britain by a president of Ireland.” Click here for the full article from the April 11, 2014, New York Times.

Posted by Robert B on May 1, 2014

Sinn Fein leader held for 2nd day over IRA killing
By SHAWN POGATCHNIK – Associated Press

DUBLIN (AP) — Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams remained in police custody for a second day Thursday as detectives questioned him over his alleged role in the Irish Republican Army’s abduction, killing and secret burial of a Belfast mother of 10 in 1972. Click here for the complete story from AP News.

Posted by Robert B on May 4, 2014

Northern Ireland police free Gerry Adams

Antrim (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Northern Ireland police on Sunday freed Gerry Adams after four days of questioning over a notorious IRA murder, but the republican leader could still face charges when a file is sent to prosecutors.

See the full story at Yahoo News!

Posted by D. Stephens on May 3, 2014

Membership of Sinn Fein compared to the IRA .

Members of both groups consisted mainly of …”generally urban, broadly middle class or aspiring to it, and in not being farmers or unskilled labourers.”

The biggest difference in the two organizations were usually in their ages. The Sinn Fein militants for the most part were four to five years older and many were over the age of 30.

There was usually a division of labor in that the older and married members stayed clear of the firing line.

Female members were limited to street politics.

Tensions between Sinn Fein and IRA members were usually blamed on the age gap. Often when the guerrillas spoke ill of the “Sinn Fein type,” it was due to the “distrust of anyone over 30.”

Source:

Hart, Peter. “The Social Structure of the Irish Republican Army, 1916-1923.” Historical Journal 42 (1999): 207-231