Just curious, why is Ireland so different from the rest of the UK as far as arming their police force?
Jim
Originally Posted by Mr MojoRisin
It's actually a very interesting story. Not sure if I'll get it all right but I'll fix it later if need be.
Firstly, it's not in all of Ireland that police carry guns, only in northern Ireland. If you ask Brits they will say that its because they Irish are drunk fucks that deserve to be shot.
The reality is that it's part tradition and part necessity. The Irish have a history of civil unrest and revolution, especially in the northern parts where the ultras and extremists are more common. I think they are called the Irish republican association(IRA), not sure.
They want separation from the UK and want to be part of their own independent country. Anyone with common sense (over there) can tell you that that is a terrible idea and their Irish economy would be in tatters if it wasn't for it's affiliation to the UK. Even the Scots voted to stay with the Britannia last year after much debate. But that still doesn't cause the Irish republicans to stir shit every once in a while.
The Irish police have been considered a sort of military force for north ireland actually, they are called RUC something. They've put down entire revolts and revolutions from the IRA. The police is therefore seen as a symbol for the majority of the irelanders, and they command a lot more respect than ordinary PD's here in America or elsewhere. Kind of like the swiss guard in the Vatican.
So it's actually both symbolic and necessary for northern Irish police to carry guns