September 01, 2007

Tarred and Feathered. The story behind the summary justice meted out to an alleged drug-dealer in Belfast.
posted by some wander by mistake 17 years ago
  • They used to kneecap 'em.
  • Not even sure what to think
  • Despite the name, kneecapping didn't usually involve damage to the knees. Can't find a link, but I remember that it used to be quite profitable for the Provos. They'd kneecap the perp, help them apply for the Criminal Compensation that the victim of a crime is entitled to receive, and then take half.
  • I dunno.
  • We tolerate summary justice at our peril, and we tolerate non-action at our peril. Where's the middle path? I'm not so sure that turning things over to politicians, judges, tax collecting and pen pushing police forces is always the best thing--look at how bogged down the criminal justice system is here, but mob rule by the violent majority seems to be the escalation we face when the community takes the law into private hands. I got nuthin'.
  • Somebody's gotta go high tech with crazy glue and fiberglass insulation.
  • The "turf war" theory got me wondering. Especially after I put "Taughmonagh Social Club" into Google to see what part of Belfast this happened in, and got essentially no hits.
  • It's a thought-provoking link.. well, at least, it makes me think about all the reasons I don't live in Norn Irn. Punishment beatings and kneecappings (whether 'friendly' or 'unfriendly') et cetera are far from new, what is new is T'internet's ability to flash images around the world. This image is not that shocking.
  • If anyone's interested there's the CAIN Web Service (Conflict Archive on the INternet) for the Troubles.. though it's not what I'd call summertime reading material...
  • Can't find a link, but I remember that it used to be quite profitable for the Provos. They'd kneecap the perp, help them apply for the Criminal Compensation that the victim of a crime is entitled to receive, and then take half. Really? I thought compensation wasn't available until the early 1990s?
  • Since 1964, apparently.
  • The chuffing IRA / UVA / whatever were and probably still are the biggest drug dealers in the place.
  • Freedom Fighters would never do such things
  • I think in fact that site only refers to England, Scotland and Wales, swbm. Did similar arrangements apply in NI? The 1964 scheme was ex gratia, not given a statutory basis until 1995 (effective 1996)- possibly what roryk is thinking of. The Criminal Damage (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order dates from 1977, the Criminal Injuries Compensation (NI) Order from as late as 2002, though I'm sure there was something else in place before then??
  • I remember it as part of one of the peace deals or agreements, but I couldn't say when it was. The Compensation Agency dates from April 1992.
  • I'm not so sure that turning things over to politicians, judges, tax collecting and pen pushing police forces is always the best thing--look at how bogged down the criminal justice system is here, but mob rule by the violent majority seems to be the escalation we face when the community takes the law into private hands. Well, logically, if one can trust neither the pencil-necked pen-pushers at City Hall, nor the heartless, mindless anger of the mob, the only logical solution seems to be for one man, perhaps the last honest man in the city, to take a stand against the scum on the streets. Obviously, that man needs not to be working in the public sector, and of a basically solitary mien, but it is feasible. I have talked to experts about this. It is feasible.
  • Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight, Monkey Haus?