The Intelligence from The Economist Like a tonne of bricks: violence in Northern Ireland
Apr 9, 2021
Sam McBride, a Belfast-based journalist for The Economist, provides insightful commentary on the recent surge of violence in Northern Ireland, highlighting how Brexit has inflamed longstanding tensions. Arkady Ostrovsky, the Russia editor, discusses the dire health of political prisoner Alexei Navalny and the Kremlin's tactics to undermine his public image. The conversation also touches on the enduring societal divisions stemming from the Good Friday Agreement and showcases how slam poetry serves as a powerful medium for expression in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Escalating Violence in Northern Ireland
- Recent violence in Northern Ireland has escalated, spreading from Londonderry to Belfast and smaller towns.
- Public transport was cancelled in Belfast after a bus was burned, and police used water cannons.
Loyalist Rioters and Paramilitary Influence
- The rioters are primarily young loyalists, often urged on by older paramilitary figures.
- These figures exploit emotive political events to gain influence and cover their actions.
Causes of Loyalist Anger
- The violence is fueled by a decision not to prosecute attendees of a large IRA funeral during lockdown and by Brexit.
- Loyalists feel betrayed by the Irish Sea border, viewing it as a weakening of Northern Ireland's ties to Britain.