Return of the Irish Republican Army

          

         A new generation of fundamentalists and rebellion aspirations against the British government is emerging in the return of the Irish Republican Army or I.R.A. Easter Rising's centennial anniversary is in 2016, thus creating this state of paranoia and anxiousness we are beginning to see; reminiscent of the "The Troubles". I am a proud Irish-American and I fully embrace my Gaelic culture. Sometimes even my professors and friends can overhear my accent come out. Nonetheless, I am watching and listening to the news in amazement as to the situation in Northern Ireland today.                      
       Recently, I watched a documentary on Irish-British relations and it said that the U.K. actually fears the I.R.A. more than they do ISIS. This is not exactly surprising given the history. However, you cannot blame Ireland for wanting to be united and independent, or Scotland for that matter. Their people have endured so much, only to have their piece of the freedom pie carved out by another nation. Armed struggle therefore will continue as long as the idea for freedom is there. If you piss off a snake long enough, it is bound to bite back. This is what we are seeing today in Northern Ireland. Ten years ago you would never think to hear that the I.R.A. was a problem considering the Good Friday Agreements were just signed in 1998. The combining of the Real I.R.A. and Republican Action Against Drugs in 2013 signals a shift more in favor of Irish Republican activism. 

           Why is this? Well, the answer is simple. If you give somebody a strong enough will or belief to fight in, they'll go down with it. Especially if the conflict has been timeless, spanning multiple centuries. This long fight against British occupation can be traced all the way back to 1916 when Patrick Pearse and others were either hanged or shot by firing squads for treason. This historic event made a martyr out of the cause itself, a cause which is apparently gaining ground all over again. Today, the I.R.A. membership has swelled to hundreds and it has proven to be a huge thorn in the Crown's side. About a month ago, U.K. special forces stepped foot back into Ireland; a move not seen in over twenty years. The threat of an attack in Northern Ireland by dissident Irish Republicans is right now listed as "severe". One thing is for sure though and that is the return of the I.R.A.