Iraq taskforce ship visits Cork

by sgtpepperband - Royal Navy Thu Dec 06, 2007 18:35

I was born in Castletownbere but was brought up in SE London. Joined the Royal Navy at 16 and am still serving. During my service I have been victim to some good natured (and not so good natured) vitriol due to my ancenstry, in the usual "British" vein (Ireland=terrorists+dodgy builders, etc.). Conversely I have never received any hostility from family about my choice of career, of which they are proud; many Irishmen have served in the Royal Navy over the centuries, most notably Shackleton and the Kerryman Tom Crean (a personal hero of mine).

I have visited Ireland on many occasions to visit family in Cork and Wicklow, but regrettably not visiting on board one of my ships. Mainly because I would like to show my family what I do for a living, but also to show my fellow servicemen that Ireland and its people are the most hospitable and welcoming people I have come to know.

Of course my life is filled with stories of the Ireland's incestuous relationship with Britain and I am not naive enough to believe that everyone wants to 'forgive and forget'; in my own way, I try to educate my British colleagues of its own 'forgotten history', but I would like to tell you that any RN warship that visits Ireland is a good thing, for both sides. When former enemies visit host countries (Russian and Chinese warships often visit Portsmouth) it will not be long before more UK warships visit Ireland - without agenda or manifesto.

by Des Tue Jul 31, 2007 14:09

"Anyone who disagrees with british ships entering irish ports disagrees with nationalists sharing power with unionists."

What utter rubbish! I am all for Nationalists sharing power with Unionists, but why should that mean I must accept vessels of war coming to my country? Should I all of a sudden accept the British occupation of Iraq and forget about all the innocent people who have died in the process? and maybe you think I should just forget the past and stop demanding that the British Government reveal the truth and extent of the dirty tricks employed by them during the troubles and should I no longer want to see the truth come out about things like Bloody sunday?

by citizen Tue Jul 31, 2007 01:05

I don't want these ships in our ports. As a citizen, I don't recall ever being given a say in whether I approved of this kind of thing . I bet they don't even pay for the privilege. What if there is an accident? Are they a target for terrorism? It's every bit as bad as shannon.

by Wise man Mon Jul 30, 2007 19:01

Anyone who disagrees with british ships entering irish ports disagrees with nationalists sharing power with unionists.

I dont love the royal navy but they are more than welcome to visit ireland, the days of 1916 are over and some irish people should stop living in the stone age.

by SINBAD - THE SANE PEOPLE PARTY Fri Jul 20, 2007 19:47

Guy.

Any evidence for your allegations which appear to be rigidly formed judgments at this stage ? I am asking for factual evidence as distinct from the usual propagation of the logical fallacy of the repeated proposition by those with predetermined conclusions.

By the way the British Navy is properly called the Royal Navy.

It is many years now since the RN undertook the training of Irish Naval Service cadets as they were then known. Incidentally, if it is of any interest to you, the Irish cadets all performed extremely well in the UK over the years and gave good accounts of themselves.

What is your position on Irish citizens of to-day who work in the RN ? How do you regard them ?

by Guy Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:39

'Courtesy' to our neighbours? 'Peace Process'? This is nothing to do with the so called Irish Peace Process which should more correctly be called 'the project to sell the Treaty under a new name'. The objection to this ship is because it is part of the illegal invasion, dectruction and murder it has participated in in Iraq.
I wonder if those extendng friendship to these murderers are the Irish Navy cadets who did their training with the British Navy and are now sticking up for their ole pals?

by SINBAD - DISNEY NAVY Wed Jul 18, 2007 19:00

Don't you think that we might extend a little courtesy and hospitality to our neighbours on their visits at this stage in the Anglo-Irish game ?

Do bear in mind that we have a heavy moral burden for which we have never apologised to them.

During WW 2 we would not allow them the use of our ports. This lead directly to the deaths of many allied and Irish merchant seafarers because convey protection was restricted in it's range thanks to our moral stand during de 'mergency (no WW 2 here mate). Mind you we were happy to accept imports from them at the same time. I think this is called typical Irish duplicity and hypocrisy.........

by Joe Mon Jul 16, 2007 21:09

Have the British not got plenty of their own ports for rest and recouperation?

by wise man Mon Jul 16, 2007 20:35

Who ever posted that is talking rubbish and needs medication, Ireland will never hand back its ports to the british and the warships come here for rest and recouperation not on a bombing mission.

by Dublin AWI'er Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:41

These warships are slipping in and out of Ireland now on a regular basis. As part of the British (imperialist) war machine they are no different than the US military being at Shannon airport. Anti-war activists need to be equally vocal in opposing these guys.