(I messed up my attempt at posting so I apologize if this is the second appearance)
I follow NI politics.
My gut feel on why this one is worse than previously is due to two things:
1) There are more young punks (yobs) out of work now than last year. Take a look at the pics associated w/this story in the Belfast Telegraph. Everyone getting violent looks like a teenager.
2) Recently released Bloody Sunday report got eveyone thinking about the earlier days in The Troubles.
So, I think the yobs simply are taking the opportunity to raise hell. Sort of like how some Iraq war protesters seem (to me at least) like they want to recapture the spirit of the Viet Nam War protests, more than they actually want to protest the war itself. Combine this w/the mentality of those waiting to riot after that verdict in CA.
I think that’s what you have here.
I believe Catholics have they’re own marches in Prod territory too, so you have that “stick it to you” hateful-mentality on both sides.
There is a small chance that CIRA is taking advantage of the relatively poor economics to do some recruiting, but I haven’t heard they were associated w/12th violence this go around.
You are probably right. IMHO though there will never be peace until the British leave with their Army. People can argue all they want but that is a fact. The Irish catholics see them as an invading and occupying force. Shouldn’t the UK be dedicating those forces to Afghanistan instead? It is long past due that NI govern itself.