The Royal Irish Regiment as I said were a disbanded regiment (1922) The UDR was disbanded and renamed the RIR, reason being, during the first world war, many catholics who fought in the Great War joined this regiment as they had barracks in the best parts of the country. A point worth watching is the fact Tony Blair may be approving a large number of pardons, for those called "On the runs" volunteers that went to America and the police wanted to talk to them. However, this would involve the Queen and it may be embarrassing to the monarch so soon after she awarded the conspicuous gallantry cross to the retiring UDR/RIR. Was this the soft soap ? What with the IRA inactive and the UDR/RIR home battalions marching into the sunset I hope all sides may soon be to marching in the same direction. The return of the "wild geese" could be a problem for unionists.
|