the business of death in Ireland

[PaintingMedium]

During a recent discussion with outside_the_line, he posted the following

There were shipments of warheads going out to Israel from Ireland and Britain during last year’s illegal invasion of Lebanon. Raytheon has the Derry City Council bought and sold – Sinn Féin grassroots activists probably protest outside the plant while their councillors wine & dine with these multi-national gangsters. Think the new Stormont administration will put an end to this? I doubt it. If anything it will get worse. They’ll most likely get the go ahead to reduce the corporate tax and what kind of corporations do you think they’ll be looking to invite? My bet is the armaments industry as they wouldn’t be faced with the same opposition that might arise in the south if such companies as Raytheon, Lockheed and US Arms were to locate there. That said; here’s a list of companies involved in the production weapons or weapon systems in the Free State:

Timoney Holdings, Gibbstown, Navan, Co Meath.
Involved in the production of armoured vehicles.
"We do the design and prototype work in Ireland and the production is done by the likes of the Australian or U.S. militaries". Mr. Neil Murray, Company spokesperson, Sunday Business Post,

Analog Devices B.V. Co Limerick.
Produces "high performance integrated circuits" used by the military, including use in fighter jets.

Assman Electronics Ltd, Ennis, Co. Clare.
Produces electronic components designed to exceed U.S. Department of Defencestandards for use in military equipment.

Befab Safeland Ltd. Shannon, Co. Clare.
Specialises in the manufacture of "runwayarrestors" (used to "catch" military jets as they land).

Chemfab Europe Ltd. Ennis, Co. Clare.
Specialise in the production of "polymer based engineered products and material systems for use in severe environments" which have "dual-use" and have previously been supplied to British Aerospace, who in turn manufacture a wide variety of weapons systems.

Data Device Corporation (DDC), Co. Cork.
Products are used for applications in missiles, radar, sonar, secure communications and night vision equipment including use in Apache attack helicopters. (Plant closing late 2006)

Essco-Collins, Kilkishen, Co. Clare.
World leader in the production of 'Radomes'- protective covers for the antennae systems used in air traffic control, weather systems and radar systems. Military applications account for a substantial segment of the companies business.

Eurotec Operations, Youngline centre, Pouladuff Road, Cork:
Specialises in the manufacturing of microwave components and semiconductors, "dual-use" technology with military applications

Kentree Ltd. Kilbrittain, Co. Cork.
Specialises in the manufacture of remote control vehicles primarily for use in military applications.

Moog Ltd. Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork
Major U.S. arms manufacturer. Irish operation has been involved in the manufacture of electronic controllers used in main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and anti-aircraft systems.

Western Avionics, ShannonFree Zone, Co. Clare.
Produce electronic components used in military aircraft.

Right, heres my question, how the F**K is this allowed in a so called neutral country?I WANT ANSWERS

[merle haggard]

because the countrys neutrality is a sham and the political will does not exist to tackle the situation . Irelands closest thing to a living saint brought the Raytheon death merchants to Derry and defends their activites on the grounds that it provides jobs . Shannon is excused for the same reason .
In the next breath theyll condemn bombs too .

[PaintingMedium]

okay,but before we get it into too much detail,firstly, i know people need jobs, im not going to say so and so should not work there because the person might be providing for a family, but where do you draw the line?I know these companies bring in huge employment, but these are arms companies and companies that help kill people, yes we could then argue the drinks and cigarettes industry do the same, but this is not an excuse.

When will something like this be stopped? who are the TD's for these areas, what do they say?
HOW IN THE WORLD CAN THESE COMPANIES BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO PROFIT IN IRELAND surely we can survive without them

[quirk]

Could someone list the companies in the north who are involved in weapons production. Just curious.

[merle haggard]

of course we can survive without them . and they dont provide huge employment . More people on this island are employed in drugs and prostitution however theres little difficulty getting the political outrage whipped up for action to be taken there . Our democracy and neutrality is stuffed because the TDS are bought off and the media are reactionary and largely foreign owned . They dont care about our neutrality, therefore its not on the political agenda

[PaintingMedium]

one of the biggest ones in N. Ireland is Raytheon, look them up on a search engine.
Merle, I am agreeing with you so dont take this the wrong way, but how would a community let such companies, how can we sit and do nothing. is there any in Dublin?

[merle haggard]

Raytheon dont really employ that many people and the response in Derry to the activists trashing the place was largely positive . I suggest you contact PANA , Peace and neutrality alliance and/or the Irish Anti War Movement if you wish to take protest action against these death merchants .

Shorts and their subsidiary Bombardier produce missiles in Belfast . Theres also another outfit in south down sited close to the old Ballykinlar bbase that engage in guided missile production in quite a heavily fortified facility . Its also used as a training base and firing range for British special forces and undercover squads .

[PaintingMedium]

Its amazing how much we will do just for some american dollars

[merle haggard]

Its amazing how much we will do just for some american dollars

i wonder what our Taoiseach might have done for 50,000

[MacEHaVelly]

Name and Same- well done.