Dublin Rocked By Riots After Three Children Are Stabbed Outside A Primary School

 

SKY News: Dublin riots: 34 people arrested after violent protests in city following stabbings  

A five-year-old schoolgirl and a female teacher, believed to be in her 30s, remain in a very serious condition, police said. 

Thirty-four people have been arrested following "huge destruction by a riotous mob" in Dublin, Irish police have said. Three young children were injured in a stabbing incident outside a primary school which sparked violent protests and clashes with police. 

A five-year-old schoolgirl and a female teacher, believed to be in her 30s, remain in a very serious condition, police said. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The identity and background of the person who committed these stabbings has still not been released. 

 Dublin Rocked By Riots After Three Children Are Stabbed Outside A Primary School 

 Ireland’s prime minister condemns anti-immigrant rioters after Dublin rampage -- AP 

Dublin attack and riots: how Thursday unfolded -- Irish Times  

'It Snowballed:' How a Knife Attack in Dublin Led to a Riot -- DNYUZ/New York Times  

Violent clashes erupt in Dublin after stabbing of 5 people, as police blame ‘far-right ideology’ -- CNN  

'Irish People Are Being Attacked' - Anti-Immigrant Riots Erupt After Dublin Stabbing Spree -- Zero Hedge

New Report Says Ireland's Military Cannot Properly Defend The Country

The Army told the commission ‘it is not equipped, postured or realistically prepared to conduct a meaningful defence of the State against a full-spectrum force for any sustained period of time’. Photograph: Defence Forces Press Office 

SKY News: Ireland's military cannot properly defend country, says 'hard-hitting' and 'blunt' report 

Ireland has long been regarded by military analysts as the weak link in the defence chain of Western Europe, precipitated by decades of defence under-spending by successive governments. 

Ireland's Defence Forces cannot properly defend the country against acts of aggression from conventional military forces, according to a new report which has urged a radical overhaul of the military. 

The Commission on the Defence Forces report said that Ireland is an "outlier" among Western European nations in how little is spent on defence, and outlined a range of options for politicians to consider.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The Irish government is making a commitment to spend more money .... Ireland Commits $639M to New Military Equipment (Defense Post). More here .... Top Gun-style F-16 fighter jets recommended for new Irish Air Force (Irish Mirror). 

New Report Says Ireland's Military Cannot Properly Defend The Country  

Current Defence Forces' capabilities leaves State without credible protection - report -- RTE  

Analysis: Defence Commission report sets out stark reality of Ireland's military incapacity -- TheJournal.ie 

Growing risk of Ireland’s land, sea, air being used for attack by belligerent powers – Defence report -- Irish Times  

Defence Forces cannot protect Ireland from potential attack, admits Minister -- BreakingNews.ie 

Defence Forces 'crisis may leave Ireland without credible military capability' -- Mirror  

EU country’s military not capable of properly defending it, report finds -- RT  

The Irish Times view on the future of the Defence Forces: rebuilding our broken defences -- Irish Times

Sinn Féin Declares Victory In The Irish General Election

Daily Mail: Ireland faces MONTHS without a Government as Sinn Fein leads in general election count but Leo Varadkar rules out forming a coalition with them

* The three main parties in Ireland are all in a deadlock in the General Election
* Taoiseach Leo Varadkar meanwhile has ruled out a coalition with Sinn Fein
* However he has admitted that Ireland is a three-party system following results

The shape of Ireland's next government remains uncertain after a historic General Election saw Sinn Fein crash the long-standing domination of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

While counting will continue through Monday, and the final results remain a way off, it is clear Ireland now has three big players on its political stage.

In a remarkable result, Sinn Fein emerged as the most popular party in the country, securing the most first preference votes and topping the polls in the vast majority of constituencies across the state.

The party received 24.5 per cent of the vote share, Fianna Fail got 22.2 per cent and Fine Gael 20.9 per cent.

Read more ....

More News On Sinn Féin Declaring Victory In The Irish General Election

Irish general election: latest results -- The Guardian
Irish general election: Sinn Féin surges as majority of seats filled -- BBC
Sinn Fein eyes government, Irish unity poll after election surge -- Reuters
Sinn Féin declares victory in Irish general election -- The Guardian
Irish nationalists Sinn Fein demand place in government after election success -- France 24
Ireland: Sinn Fein wins popular vote, set for historic gains -- Al Jazeera
Irish general election: who won and what happens now? -- The Guardian
Factbox: What happens next after Ireland's 'ballot-box revolution' -- Reuters

Irish General Election: Exit Polls Are Predicting A 'Tie' Between The Three Main Parties

BBC: Irish general election: Exit poll predicts 'tie' between three main parties

The three main political parties have tied in first preference votes, according to an exit poll for the Republic of Ireland's general election.

The earliest indications from the poll suggest there is little difference between Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil.

Polling closed in the general election at 22:00 GMT.

Counting to elect the 33rd Dáil (Irish parliament) will begin on Sunday in all 39 constituencies.

There will be coverage of the election results on the BBC News NI website from 12:00 GMT on Sunday.

Read more ....

More News On Today's Elections In Ireland

Sinn Fein Irish election surge leaves three main parties tied -- Reuters
Top 3 parties in dead heat after Irish parliament elections -- AP
Ireland elections: Exit poll shows three-way tie -- DW
'Three horse race' as Ireland goes to the polls to vote for next government -- France 24
Ireland general election: Sinn Féin surges to 22% in exit poll -- The Guardian
Exit polls predict three-way tie in Irish government -- UPI
Three-way tie in Ireland's general election: Exit poll -- Al Jazeera
Irish election too close to call as 'historic' surge by left-wing nationalist Sinn Fein stuns establishment -- RT

Ireland On The Brink Of An Election With Brexit Talks Only Weeks Away

Reuters: Irish government set to fall weeks before Brexit summit

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland’s minority government looked set to collapse within days on Friday after the party propping it up submitted a motion of no confidence in the deputy prime minister, weeks before a summit on Britain’s plans to leave the European Union.

Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said that if the motion was not withdrawn by Tuesday, he would be forced to hold an election before Christmas, a prospect EU officials say would complicate a key EU summit on Dec. 14-15 on Brexit.

“What that would mean is me throwing a good woman under the bus to save myself and my own government, and that would be the wrong thing to do,” Varadkar told national broadcaster RTE, dismissing demands for his deputy Frances Fitzgerald to quit.

Read more ....

More News On Ireland On The Brink Of An Election With Brexit Talks Only Weeks Away

Irish government on brink of collapse: reports -- POLITICO.eu
Irish government on brink of collapse over policing scandal -- The National
Irish government on verge of collapse in spat over deputy PM -- Yahoo News/Business Insider
Ireland Set for December Election if Crisis Not Averted by Tuesday -PM -- U.S. News & World Report/Reuters
Irish PM Vows to Try to Avoid Election Amid Brexit Crunch -- Bloomberg
Ireland: No-confidence vote could prompt snap elections before critical EU Brexit summit -- DW
EU officials asking 'What is going on in Dublin?' -- RTE.ie
Ireland left on edge of turmoil just when steadiness is needed most -- Lisa O'Carroll, The Guardian

Ireland Votes Yes On Europe's Fiscal Pact

Ireland Heading For 'Yes' Vote In Referendum -- The Telegraph

Ireland is today heading for a Yes victory after the only referendum to be held in Europe on a controversial European Union fiscal pact that locks the euro’s austerity rules into national law.

Tallies from regional counting centres put the Yes campaign, supported by the government, mainstream political parties, trade unions and business, on course for 60 per cent win.

Enda Kenny, the Irish Prime Minister, expressed his confidence two hours into ballot counting that followed a bad-tempered campaign marred by low turnout and deep social divisions.

Read more ....

More News On Ireland's Referendum On Europe's Fiscal Pact

Ireland votes ‘yes’ to EU deficit-fighting treaty with 60.3 percent of votes -- Washington Post/AP
Irish voters back EU fiscal pact: official results -- AFP
Irish government relieved at EU referendum win -- Reuters
Yes in Irish EU vote certain - Reuters calculation -- Reuters
Irish Approve EU Fiscal Pact -- RIA Novosti
Irish voters 'back EU fiscal pact' - early results -- BBC

Ireland Votes On Europe's Fiscal Pact Referendum

Irish Voting In Fiscal Pact Referendum -- The Telegraph

Polling stations have opened across Ireland in what will be the only popular vote on a European fiscal pact that is seen as critical for the euro’s future.

reland is deciding on the ratification of a treaty that was drawn up in response to the euro debt crisis in order to enshrine the single currency’s fiscal rules, limiting government spending, into national law.

The Irish government has warned that a No vote would lead to a Greek-style banking collapse, lead to a tripling of the Ireland’s borrowing costs and plunge the country into national bankruptcy by 2014.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is an important vote on the Euro and Ireland's place in it. When final results are in (later today), I will be giving a more comprehensive analysis and roundup of these events.

All Eyes Are On Ireland Today As Voters Go To Vote On Europe's Fiscal Treaty

Ireland Prepares To Vote On Fiscal Treaty -- BBC

Irish voters are preparing to head to the polls to vote on whether to ratify the European Fiscal Treaty.

Rejecting it would prevent the country accessing any more emergency EU funding when its existing bailout package expires next year.

Ireland is the only one of 25 nations which is putting the fiscal pact to a national vote.

Opinion polls suggest a majority will vote Yes - though many where expected to decide at the last minute.

The BBC's Mark Simpson, in Dublin, says the Yes camp fears people, angry with continuing austerity measures, will vote against the treaty to punish the government.

Read more ....

My Comment: Everyone is expecting a yes vote .... but if they vote no .... expect chaos in the stock markets when they open on Friday.

Ireland To Pardon World War Two Fighters

Photo: John Stout: "I feel very betrayed about how we were treated, it was wrong". BBC

Irish Government Promises Action On WWII Deserters -- BBC

The Irish government is to take action over the soldiers who were punished for fighting with the British during World War II, the BBC understands.

Ireland was neutral during the conflict, but around 10% of its armed forces deserted to join the fight against fascism.

On their return many were placed on an official blacklist, banning them from getting jobs, benefits or pensions.

There has been growing pressure on Dublin to issue the men with a pardon.

Read more ....

More News On Ireland Preparing To Pardon Those Who Fought Against Nazi Germany In The Second World War

Sinn Fein to back pardons for 'deserters' who fought for Britain in World War II -- The Australian/The Times
Pardon for Irish WWII soldiers sought -- RTE News
Shatter considers pardon for Irish soldiers persecuted for fighting Hitler -- The Journal.ie
Pressure on Irish government to pardon WWII deserters -- BBC (Video)

My Comment: I have only one thing to say .... what took them so long to correct this incredible injustice? Persecuting those who liberated concentration camps .... disgusting.

Update: Sadly .... it looks like this is not going to happen soon.

Massive Bomb Plot Foiled In Ireland

Police Foil Plot To Stage 'New Omagh Massacre' -- The Telegraph

A van bomb containing a wheelie bin packed with 500lbs of home-made explosives could have been destined for a town centre in Northern Ireland, police said.

Detectives believe the vehicle, found near Newry at an underpass beneath the main A1 route between Belfast and Dublin, was abandoned because of the presence of a police checkpoint.

The foiled attack is being blamed on dissident republicans opposed to the peace process, who last Saturday killed constable Ronan Kerr in a booby-trap bomb in Omagh.

Read more ....

More News On Irish Authorities Foiling A Massive Bomb Plot

PSNI fear defused bomb intended for town in North -- Irish Times
Massive bomb left on Belfast-Dublin road -- AFP
Police treated massive bomb as abandoned vehicle -- The Independent
Police criticised over handling of Newry bomb alert -- Belfast Telegraph
Police adamant: we can cope with wave of security alerts -- Belfast Telegraph
Ulster on edge after bomb plot foiled -- The Australian/AFP
Irish bomb threat link to coming elections -- Sydney Morning Herald

Political Changes Are Expected As The Irish Go To The Polls

Irish Election Could Produce Historic Shift In Government -- Christian Science Monitor

Ireland is poised for a major shift toward more conservative government at the polls today, spurred by a financial crisis that has left it with enormous debt, a housing bust, and high unemployment.

An economically devastated Ireland goes to the polls today in what many have called the most significant election since the foundation of the state. But the path back to prosperity for the benighted country will be a rocky one – and is by no means assured.

Read more ....

More News On Ireland's Elections

Angry Irish voters expected to pummel ruling party -- L.A. Times
Irish general election turns into slanging match with parties divided -- The Guardian
Irish Voters Friday Deliver Verdict On The Tiger Years -- Wall Street Journal
Irish election winners to face property clash -- Financial Times
Irish Voters To Drop Governing Parties, But Back Austerity -- Wall Street Journal
In gloomy times, Irish voters ripe for change -- AP
All Change as Ireland Goes to the Polls -- Time Magazine

With Tens Of Thousands Protesting, Ireland Agrees To Bailout Terms

Ireland Agrees To $90 Billion Bailout Terms -- Washington Post

BERLIN - Ireland on Sunday reached agreement with the International Monetary Fund and the European Union for an emergency bailout package worth $90 billion, a rescue meant to both shore up that nation's buckling banks and confront investor fears that Dublin's problems are spreading to other European nations.

It remains unclear, however, if the deal would be enough to restore market confidence in other debt-laden E.U. nations, including Portugal and Spain, that have come under attack by investors in recent weeks and risked a run on the euro.

Read more ....

More News On Ireland

EU agrees on $89 billion bailout loan for Ireland -- Yahoo News/AP
Euro zone awaits market verdict on debt rescue plans -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Ireland's €85bn bailout is a done deal but EU leaders are struggling to limit the rot -- Irish Times
Europe Approves Irish Rescue and New Rules on Bailouts -- New York Times
Europe agrees to €85bn bailout of Irish economy -- The Independent
Ireland accepts $113-billion bailout package -- L.A. Times
Ireland to be crippled by €10bn a year interest -- Irish Examiner
Irish bailout includes emergency €10bn of aid to stem run on banks -- The Guardian
Snap Analysis: Whoever leads Ireland is stuck with bailout -- Reuters
Irish banking faces huge changes -- Financial Times
Irish Agree to Bailout, but Troubling Questions Remain -- Wall Street Journal
Time to send the barber home? -- The Economist
Ireland bailout: full Irish government statement -- The Guardian

Thousands protest against Irish bailout -- The Guardian
Dublin protesters march against Ireland's budget cuts -- BBC
Ireland's Opposition Parties Condemn Bailout Package -Report -- Wall Street Journal

Ireland's Financial Crisis Is Lending Support To Irish Nationalists

Irish Voters Shifting Allegiance To Nationalist Sinn Fein Party, Polling Shows -- Washington Post

DONEGAL, IRELAND - In the quiet towns of south Donegal, Irish voters in Thursday's by-election are flirting with Sinn Fein, a party that has not held a seat in the county for at least half a century.

The nationalist group's newfound popularity is a measure of just how far from public favor the ruling Fianna Fail party, led by Prime Minister Brian Cowen, has fallen.

Cowen's government, which is struggling to retain support for a budget vote next month, could face a symbolic and historic defeat just days after formally requesting a multibillion-euro rescue package from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

Read more ....

More News On Ireland's Financial/Political Crisis

Irish Republic's austerity plan: Key points at-a-glance -- BBC
Irish unveil harshest cuts, tax hikes in history -- Yahoo News/AP
Ireland to Cut Spending by 20% as Aid Talks Climax -- Bloomberg
Ireland’s Banks Face ‘Severe’ Restructuring, EU Says -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Irish Leader Beats Back Early Move to Oust Him -- New York Times
Political Chaos Engulfs Ireland, Threatens Bailout -- New York Times/AP
Ireland and Greece: very different financial meltdowns -- Stefan Karlsson, Christian Science Monitor
Who will buy Ireland's banks? -- The Guardian
Analysis: Stealing Christmas in Ireland -- BBC

A Drug War In Ireland

Drug Debt To Colombian Cartel Fuelled €7.9m Heist -- Independent

Killing surge as gang struggles to repay €50m lost in cocaine seizure

A MASSIVE drug debt, estimated at up to €50m, owed by Ireland's leading drugs syndicate to the Colombian cocaine cartels prompted last week's €7.9m robbery at the Bank of Ireland in Dublin and is fuelling the latest wave of gangland killings in the city, it has emerged.

The Dublin gang behind the shipment which was intercepted by the Naval Service off the west coast last November is said to be desperate to raise the huge bill amid suspicions that the Colombians and major drugs gangs in Britain are threatening retribution.

The 1.9 tonnes of cocaine had a street value estimated at €675m and was the biggest ever haul of the drug here.

Read more ....

My Comment: What I find amazing about this story, is that the Colombian's would actually trust someone with 50 million pounds of merchandise.

Either business is great, or they are desperate to get rid of product.