The region I had in mind was the 10 counties (or 7?) that border N. Ireland, like Armaugh, it was a hot bed of the PIRA for years and no sane person would invest in an area that was basically policed by them so it remained poor AFAIK and still is.
And I agree, this would be a terrible time (not like a different time would be better though) for a reigniting of the Troubles.
It would seem to me though, that the PIRA would have every interest in stamping out the RIRA, several weapons caches and underground firing ranges were “discovered” that were used by the rira, so hopefully this can be nipped in the bud.
“It would seem to me though, that the PIRA would have every interest in stamping out the RIRA”
Well the RIRA have now killed a couple of soldiers and a policeman, I wouldn’t be surprised if their next target isn’t a member of Sinn Fein, as Sinn Fein are in government they are regarded as “British collaborators” by the RIRA and given that they tried to murder the two pizza guys for collaborating the Shinners could well be next.
At that point it all goes tits up, the Provos can’t hit back because they’re supposed to be on ceasefire and destroyed all their guns but equally there is no way that they would stand for being targeted by the “dissidents”. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the British government didn’t then just turn a blind eye and let them get on with it.