>My wife was telling me about these arrests last night. I didn't realize that Cork was such a hotbed of IRA sympathizers.
It's not called the "Rebel County" for nothing. That area was key in the struggle of Irish independence for a long time, and one of Ireland's favorite sons, Michael Collins, hails from there. It does seem odd that it's nearly as far as one can get from the north yet be so fervent in its desire for reunification.
I was very surprised just how deep that passion is in that area. During my last visit, one night down pub in Cashel, the talk of Ireland's north and IRA support was like something one would have heard in the US south about the KKK and civil rights during the 1960's. It was a real eye-opener for me, who'd love nothing better than all of Ireland to be one Republic, but not through thuggery and terrorism.