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Originally Posted by lemontree
IMO The only danger of war in Ireland is when the protestants and catholics down an ale too many and get at each other  |
i think theres a real point behind the joke - if it is a joke.
throughout the 'troubles' in Northern Ireland the British army has had between 12,000 and 20,000 regular troops and about 15,000 regular policemen in Northern Ireland. for one operation, 'motorman' in Londonderry in the early seventies the British army deployed 35 full strength infantry battalions in a single brigade area (there are three in Northern Ireland).
the Irish army is about 8,000 strong and has 6 helicopters. the Irish army is totally unable to prevent any widescale trouble should there eventually be a British withdrawl and a united Ireland.
the Irish army has for a long time had the 'northern question' at the heart of its reason for being, yet it is woefully undermanned and equiped for such an eventuallity.