Cost of a United Ireland and the GFA

Fine by me.

Some Irish people can opt for citizenship of Britain already and vice versa.

We get endless posts on here about the terrible sectarian people in the north. Usually it’s reserved for unionists but some posters apply it across both communities in the north.

I am not going into history here, just current. I think all communities in the north have a greater awareness of the pain and hurt of the other and their need to be sensitive. Sure a minority of people use that awareness negatively to cause hurt eg on bonfires, at festivals, etc. but it is normally called out by the majority or at least the press.

I don’t see this in roi. I see a majority who are completely naive to the hurt of others and actually laugh about the mocking of it. We saw this on that chat show which Keilty challenged and we see it at everything from the ploughing matches to international changing rooms, to nightclubs.

this does not auger well for a Ui working. We need awareness raised in the south about the pain and hurt being lived daily. We need very clear challenging of this growing culture of ‘republican terrorism denial’

heres one from today which is one of the most disgusting I have seen. No doubt, good people doing bad things - because they don’t know and no one will tell them (ignorance).

I have a few friends whose lives have been devastated by Ira sectarian atrocities. When they see this mocking they will again be hurt to the pits of their stomach.

someone needs to step up and challenge this stuff. It is fanning the flames of hate towards your people. Not conducive to any shared future.

Now there is a flag deserves to burn on a bonfire! Smiling bigots

oh I sooo much hope your team lasts long enough for the lionesses to get a run at them. I despise them

I would not trust the UK like a lot of other countries wouldn't but even so I can't see them taking it away for at least a generation.

There we go ‘silly stuff’.

when will people of this island mature to call out this retraumatising of victims. I equally think the placing of a plaque in Belfast the other day to eulogise the Shankill butchers is disgusting and should result in prosecutions. I would not dare describe it as ‘ silly stuff’.

I have zero doubt that the ROI manager will be equally disgusted with this. If I recall, she was the only one that spoke out clearly against the same team singing IRA songs. I am not sure we have heard of any actions taken against any players by the FAI.

No one can talk about a shared respectful Ireland, unless they are going to come out and be very clear how wrong this behaviour is

I am not going to get into the whataboutery. This is a thread about the cost of a united Ireland. And while I think addressing matters like this is a benefit, I know that a huge number in ROI will see it as a cost, i.e. the cost of acknowledging prejudice and sectarianism that is currently in denial.

What do I think should happen to the people who brought that flag? It should be fairly easy dealt with because it is an organised event that tickets are sold for. A standard practice out there in sporting organisations when this type of thing occurs would be a lifetime ban on attending games. I actually think that is harsh as these people are ignorant and just reflecting the views of the community. I would give them a few options that avoid a lifetime ban, and one would be a short education process which would involve meeting an organisation like SEFF and hearing about the damage that has been caused to lives by the organisation that they are finding funny.

SEFF have been good at providing this support to other organisations. I know they recently met with the GAA following some of its issues. I have spoken to one of the people who met the GAA and they said that it was an extremely positive engagement. I understand they requested a meeting with FAI following the changing room, debacle, but that visit has not been facilitated by FAI.

You asked a question and I answered it. Do you think those sanctions would be fair and reasonable?

With regard to other forms of sectarianism. I certainly do not agree with you that burning an effigy is any worse than what is written on that flag, but I agree with addressing sectarianism where ever it arises.

I just posted earlier how I think those that are putting up memorials to terrorists should be prosecuted. If those putting up effigies on bonfires can be identified, they should also be prosecuted and if there are organised groups arranging the bonfires, then they should ban those people from participating in the future building.

As with the football issue, I would prefer if there was a step before prosecutions that involved education. I think we should be fully consistent on dealing with this type of behaviour.

I think most can see the hypocrisy in action here.

It is of course not about an isolated incident of burning effigies but a veritable orgy of sectarianism and hate lasting several months of the year. Organisied and facilitated by more or less silence from political leaders not to mention those in the comnunity who defend and cherish this period. You have previously called it untouchable 'culture' and 'tradition'.

Personally, I would have no need to prosecute the young people who build these toxic pyres, I would endorse and plead with politicians and adults in their communities to do things like this,

which we have recently seen, has beneficial effects in persuading people that their behaviour is toxic. Persuasion being better than prosecution IMO. 'Féile' is another prime example that it can be done if the will is there.

Compare you last two posts francie with regard to isolated instances. If you are going to be totally hypocritical then have the sense to separate you posts a bit.

Your attempt to equate a flag that has been noticed by nobody (but those seeking offence)to month long taunting/threatening behaviour in interface and public areas in the actual divided society is rank hypocrisy.

Nobody ever claimed a UI is going to be a utopia. So your attempt to taunt on that is just cringe tbh

I think you are worrying about stuff you don’t need to concern yourself with. Let us Brits worry about that. Roi or new Ui have zero input or power over that one

Funny alright from somewhere that is not represented at this tournamnet. A wee bit of bitterness there?

Fair play to the Irish girls, gave it a lash and did themselves proud. Massive support for them at home and in Australia, great to see.

The north has a ladies team. I was shouting for them because they are Irish. The team you support (England) 'massacred' them 5-0 in the qualifiers.

Irish girls represent anyone who is Irish downcow. Loads of 2nd and 3rd generation Irish in Aus at the game, including neices and nephews of my own. Great that they had a team there that they could support.

Why the obsession with England beating Ireland and not any other country they may play?

I’m not sure where you are dreaming up the hate.

I said I had to all intent and purpose forgot their Ira singing.m / surely that’s the opposite of hate.

I referenced what uefa decided (but they are probably infiltrated by the bonfire builders) https://news.sky.com/story/ireland-women-footballers-fined-836420000-for-singing-song-referencing-ira-in-world-cup-celebration-12764012?ssp=1&darkschemeovr=0&setlang=en-GB&safesearch=moderate

you think no one in the world other than the uefa board think they done wrong - hardly surprising.

then there fans dress their manager up in an ira uniform.

sure it’s only a bit o’ crack