Army Shootings in Northern Ireland.

[fox123]

To be fair when I lived in Castlederg I used to go into a Republican pub wearing my Leicester shirt and I had some great banter with the lads in there, though the first time I went in there I didn't realise it was Republican and got a few stares. Had I been wearing a Liverpool shirt odd as it may seem, I may have got a kick-in as they were majority Man Utd supporters (surprise, surprise)

Back then it was so divided. I remember on many occasions trying to get to work to Strabane only for every route into the place blocked by burnt out vehicles. It was a very crazy place to be, but I can honestly say, whilst there I only had one bit of trouble from a Republican, the majority of shite I got was from Unionists.

[Finnegan]

There's a massive difference between Ireland and Afghanistan, though.

Ireland is a largely liberal state with a democratically elected government and a rather casual populace, a staggering majority of whom would likely not condone the murders of innocents and the violence of the troubles.

Afghanistan, however, was ruled by a violently fundamentalist, extremist, terrorist organization that openly protected Osama bin Laden amidst cries by the US for him to be extradited for terrorist activity years before even 9/11 and then again in '01 after WTC.

The loss of civilian life is hugely, hugely regrettable but I don't think you'll find masses and masses of people who think the war in Afghanistan wasn't warranted. That it's still going on perhaps deserves some criticism and I'm not going to stand and comment on Iraq - but to suggest it's hypocritical that we went to Afghanistan but aren't acting against Eire? That's just dumb.

[Steven]

There's a massive difference between Ireland and Afghanistan, though.

Ireland is a largely liberal state with a democratically elected government and a rather casual populace, a staggering majority of whom would likely not condone the murders of innocents and the violence of the troubles.

Afghanistan, however, was ruled by a violently fundamentalist, extremist, terrorist organization that openly protected Osama bin Laden amidst cries by the US for him to be extradited for terrorist activity years before even 9/11 and then again in '01 after WTC.

The loss of civilian life is hugely, hugely regrettable but I don't think you'll find masses and masses of people who think the war in Afghanistan wasn't warranted. That it's still going on perhaps deserves some criticism and I'm not going to stand and comment on Iraq - but to suggest it's hypocritical that we went to Afghanistan but aren't acting against Eire? That's just dumb.

I am not sure that what sort of country an armed crminal wanting to commit mass murder comes from really matters. The facts to remember that these people exist and that as in Afghanistan there will be any number of sympathisers in Eire (and north of the border) providing money and arms in the style of Bin Laden. So going to Afghanistan is dumb?

[Finnegan]

The point of invading Afghanistan was to overthrow a Taliban government that should never have been there in the first place (take a bow, Charlie Wilson.) If you're ever going to go to war I think that's a pretty good cause.

What exactly would be the point of invading Ireland? That's one of the stupidest things I've ever heard.

[Fox92]

Disgraceful,

Arsene Wenger said that football will be targeted next.

[Sparky]

Dublin's a tourist attraction.

The Irish are like the Welsh, essentially quite laid back and fairly casual people so I would imagine you're going to encounter friendly types most of the way around the rural areas.

Anyone who wants to convince themselves they're 100% welcoming, mind, should take a trip round the Gaeltacht regions of the West Coast. You'll find it far more insular and native English will probably come back with the same complaints as from a trip round Y Fro Gymraeg "they all bloody started speaking foreign" .

The Irish are , you are the only Welshman ive met in that mould

[Finnegan]

The Irish are , you are the only Welshman ive met in that mould

There are times I don't do myself many favours.

[Sparky]

There are times I don't do myself many favours.