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LAST NIGHT’S ATTACK at the Manchester Arena on first appearance appeared to have been carried out by a single suicide bomber.
The Greater Manchester Police said from early this morning that they believed the device was detonated in the crowded foyer of the venue by a man on his own.
In this context and in the immediate aftermath of the Westminster Bridge and Stockholm attacks of March and April, one might have immediately suspected the Manchester incident to be the work of a so-called ‘lone wolf’ attacker.
However, throughout the day – and with a number of raids and arrests carried out – more sinister features have emerged from the Manchester Arena attack, suggesting it might have been the work of a network – or a disaffected individual supported in some way by a terror cell.
In the case of the Stockholm, Westminster Bridge, Berlin Christmas Market and Nice attacks, the perpetrators carried out highly impromptu and opportunistic attacks using vehicles such as SUVs and trucks.
The profile of the attackers suggested disaffected, perhaps radicalised individuals who acted alone – with varying degrees of lethality.
Whilst the Nice attacker managed to murder 86 men, women and children, the subsequent vehicle attacks in Berlin, Stockholm and London were to all intents and purposes botched attempts at mass casualty incidents.
Responding perhaps to calls by Isis to kill westerners ‘with cars’ – though more likely triggered by personal events in their own lives – these attacks showed poor levels of planning and execution.
The Manchester bombing however appears to fit an entirely different profile of attack.
https://www.facebook.com/thejournal.ie/videos/1491934544160298/
To begin with, eyewitness accounts describe a loud bang in the foyer accompanied by a powerful shock wave.
People in the Arena have described feeling a pressure wave ‘in their chests’ at the time of the blast.
Witnesses in the foyer where the device was detonated have described a scene of carnage – glass flying, body parts scattered across the floor, nuts and bolts in evidence perhaps as shrapnel surrounding the device.
Tellingly, despite the blast there was no major structural damage to the foyer itself –as would be the case if the device was a conventional plastic explosives improvised explosive device (IED).
In addition, if plastic explosives had been used, there would also have been a very significant heat signature with temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees in the immediate vicinity of the explosion. Thus far there have been no eyewitness reports of catastrophic burn injuries or indeed fire at the location of the attack.
It is not likely that the IED used in this attack was nitrogen based – such as a fertiliser based explosive – as this would have required a very bulky device, normally associated with truck bombs or car bombs. It is unlikely an individual could have concealed such a device on their person in a location such as the Manchester Arena.
Given the eyewitness accounts and police statements, it is most likely that the device used in last night’s attack was a TATP bomb.
Tri Acetone Tri Peroxide bombs or IEDs were of the type used by Islamic State in the Paris attacks of November 2015. In those attacks, eight of the attackers wore TATP suicide vests – seven of which were detonated. Whilst the ingredients for TATP devices are commonly available in pharmacies and DIY stores, the mixing of the ingredients is extremely hazardous. Many TATP bomb-makers kill themselves at this preparation stage.
In addition, the crystalline substance which forms the bulk charge of TATP devices is highly unstable and will detonate readily with very modest heat, vibration or friction.
It therefore takes considerable skill and – usually training – to successfully formulate and transport such a viable device as a suicide vest or rucksack bomb. In my view, given the information that is emerging about last night’s attack, the Manchester bomber most likely had some support in mounting this attack.
The detonation signature of a TATP device – air blast generating a catastrophic shock wave of around 5,300 metres per second is capable of causing limb separation and decapitation in close proximity.
This is consistent with eyewitness accounts of body parts at the scene of the explosion. Such devices are normally further weaponised with the addition of shrapnel to increase lethality. Eyewitnesses report nuts and bolts at the scene – with one victim having had a ‘bolt’ sever an artery in her knee, requiring emergency surgery to save her life.
In the Paris attacks, large crowds at the Stade de France were targeted by the Isis cell. However, the bomber, using a TATP IED was intercepted as he tried to enter the venue by security guard Salim Toorabally.
The simple security screening measures employed at the Stade de France ensured that the bomber was diverted away from the main crowd. The attacker was forced to detonate the device outside the venue and, in essence, the attack was a failure.
The Manchester bomber appears to have learned from this experience and did not attempt to gain access to the venue by the entrance where normal, if primitive, security measures prevail.
Instead, he targeted the crowd as it exited the venue in an area where they were funnelled and concentrated. This aspect of the attack suggests a level of pre-meditation, surveillance and planning that would be consistent with a cell structure – or a network of individuals.
There is also the sinister nature of the target.
In the Paris attacks, the Bataclan Theatre was selected as an attack on the freedoms and liberties of French citizens in their 20s and 30s.
In Manchester, in attacking an Ariana Grande concert, the deliberately chosen target was children.
The demographic profile of fans attending her concerts would normally consist of children – mostly girls – between the ages of 10 and 14. In this regard, last night’s attack will go down in infamy as a particularly barbaric and bestial act.
Manchester is only 150 miles from Dublin – approximately the same distance as Cork.
The Chief Constable of the Greater Manchester Police stated in the immediate aftermath that they had practised continuously for such an attack in boots on the ground exercises involving police, medical personnel and fire services.
This goes some way towards explaining the remarkably rapid reaction of Manchester’s first responders – with seriously injured children and adults triaged, treated and saved at the site of the blast.
As the US and Russia and their various allies close in on the remnants of Islamic State’s ‘Caliphate’ in Raqqa and Mosul, Isis have promised a wave of renewed terror attacks in Europe to be carried out by foreign fighters returning to their homelands – along with ‘lone wolf’ attacks.
In this context, the Irish government cannot ignore recent terror attacks in Europe and must take the necessary steps to protect Irish citizens from such attacks and their immediate aftermath.
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If only there was some clue, if only we had 1400 years of history to look at, if only we could see the results of a particular ideology as it becomes the majority in a country, If only there where some books we could read that contained this particular ideology, if only we could look at the life of the person who started it. If only we understood the effects of religious ideology in our own country and how what people believe can effect how they act. If only we understood that ideas need to tackled and that ideas are not people and adherents to religions are not a racial group. Sadly though my head is firmly up my backside so I can’t see or hear anything.
@John Mc Grath: Some people are just totally impervious to evidence and rational arguments man. Thankfully they’re in the minority here, if the journal thumbs are anything to go by.
@Matty Kineven: It’s starting to become clear why you are unemployed.
@John Mc Grath:
What utter hate speech drivel, devoid of any sense of reality.
The Kurds are muslims, fighting ISIS and Al Qaeda. So are the Yazidi Muslims.
So are the Shia and Alawite muslims… all fighting the Saudi inspired, armed and funded Sunni/Wahabi ISIS, Al Qaeda, Al Nusra (and their ‘rebrands’) terrorists.
Religious sectarianism is simply being used to further Geopolitical, Territorial and Resource wars.
And our stupid western right wing politicians are more than happy to go along with it. No doubt with the support of their war profiteer backers.
@Mike Hall: you seem to have had an emotional reaction, if you feel tackling ideologies/ ideas is hate speech you might be suffering from one.
Talk about stating the bleeding obvious!
@Paul Mc: We can’t even deport the people we know are terrorists! We’re so inept it’s frightening!
@Paul Mc:
Did you read the article before posting or just read the headline. Go back and try reading the article and then explain how the details of the explosive are ‘bleeding obvious’
@Paul Mc: it was actually very informative for those of us who don’t know anything about bombs and bomb making.
@Jane: I bet he didn’t even read the article. .
@Suzie Sunshine: probably not
In fairness, we all knew it was planned, and the headline is brutal. The article itself is actually very informative on the MO of these lunatics. I blame the subs, not the author for this one!
Targeting that venue was the most evil and barbaric act a person could ever carry out. God help all the victims and there family’s. And for so called Isis what gos around comes around.
@Eoin: A way to attack girls and women due to religious beliefs?
@Eoin: God isn’t real, thank god.
@Awkward Seal: How do you know, as he would be a God of creation and not a god of death wouldn’t he?
Zero-torelence for suspected isis terrorists
this is a war we need to get real in this country because we could be next.
@stephen o reilly: why would or could Ireland be next?
@stephen o reilly: ISIS = Israeli Secret International Service. Why do ISIS never attack their great enemy ISRAEL??
@Steve Egan: security measures are very highly developed in Israel.
@Steve Egan: Have you ever been to Israel….They have fought Islamic terrorism since 1948…. They are quiet good at it….In the last few years in Europe we are seeing what Israel has lived through for decades…
@Remy: yes, as Tom Clonan pointed out the Irish flag was included. It turns out that the Irish flag was one of 67 flags. I don’t measure that as evidence of a specufuc threat to Ireland.
As for Christian countries, all Western countries are Christian in a cultural sense.
The reality is that Ireland is a small, obscure, remote, low profile and low value target. The most that Ireland might be used for is as a logistical support and place to organise from for attacks on other European countries.
@Tony Daly: the Americans landing in Shannon might make us appealing to them.
More chance it would be looked at as a very soft western target. Get your head out of the sand.
@John003: and virtually everyone is armed.
@stephen o reilly:
Yeah, zero tolerance for suspects. Internment would be a good idea too. Are you really that immature or stupid or is someone else telling you what to post
Cos Ireland is easy to hit. UK foil more attacks than get through
The security was shockingly relaxed, a lot of people saying they weren’t searched at any point, all eyes were on London, this was a soft vulnerable touch.
So what are the precise and immediate steps required to protect Irish citizens in Ireland?
How probable is an attack on Ireland? It seems unlikely but prudence would indicate that real effort and resources are committed to :-
1. Avoidance and prevention.
2. Planned and rehearsed responses to a terrorist outrage.
It’s not unlikely that some preparation has been done but knowing Ireland, not enough. An Garda Siochana has publicly announced that it is ill prepared and does not have enough resources, possibly an indiscreet disclosure.
That said, we should not exaggerate the threat level or develop that sense of paranoia that the terrorists want to encourage. So sensible and proportionate measures make sense.
@Tony Daly: like outlawing this particular cult, closing all mosques, madrassas and halal butchers and helping the mistakes we already made to leave, PRONTO.
We neglect to note that 1) a huge amount of cross border intelligence info is traded daily across Europe. Im sure the Garda Special units are up to speed on intelligence information from all countries in Europe and given that the Uk and ourselves are outside of Schengen we can be sure that our police have as much intelligence info on planned attacks as our neighbours. The Uk will not allow terror attacks to occur via a springboard attack from Irish soil into UK territory. The countries within schengen are far more exposed as cross border controls are non existent in the main. ISIS attacks at unexpected moments but they appear to prepare and plan for each well in advance. Tom Clonan is right. This attack was far more premeditated than the proceeding ones. The signs of things to come unfortunately.
@John Mc Grath: you are aware that the percentage of Irish people who have carried out terrorist attacks in the UK is ridiculous higher than the percentage of Muslim people. So let that sink in
@Dark Knight: yes but like IRA attacks they are ALL false flags!
@Steve Egan: “And that, boys and girls, was the sound of shares in tin foil smashing through the roof!”
Just because he targetted the foyer after the event where lots of people congregate – you gather it was a cell operation? Wtf. Does this guy get paid much for this amazing insight? ;)
I’ve worked with some Muslim lads who came over here years ago and settled over here, I’ve asked them outright if they ever thought the extremists would ever bother with Ireland…they all said no way..in particular they said that our consistent backing of Palestine by successive governments since that all happened was well known and well regarded in middle-eastern countries……landing American war planes at Shannon is not helpful though.
@Steve Egan: because the Israelis are ready for them and Daesh know what waits them there. The one country that currently knows how to deal with a vermin infeststion
Why does every paragraph consist of a single sentence? Are we simple?
Tom Clonan is always trying to highlight Ireland as a potential terrorist attack target. He writes many articles on this subject and he gives many interviews.
The focus of articles on other terrorist attacks on other countries is along the lines of Ireland’s ill preparedness but he has not, as fast as I’m aware, given a compellingly persuasive account why Ireland should be so much at risk when so many other countries are much more obvious as targets.
Has there been an actual Jihadist terror attack in Ireland or evidence of a tangible threat here?
Listening to some of BBC coverage this morning and RTE during the day…They were very reluctant to use the I word or even the IS initials….Even Trump has stopped using the phase radical Islamic terrorists….
@Tony Daly:
Sweden a country which has been hugely accommodating to Muslim refugees is a neutral country similar to Ireland, yet they have been the victims of a terrorist attack recently, inexplicably one could argue.
It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that an attack could be orchestrated here justifiable on the grounds that the Irish government facilitates the US army on flights of rendition involving Islamic operatives.
I can think of no other possible reason.
@Jack Cassady: there are far more obvious and much more high profile targets than Ireland, a neutral country.
It is understandable that we emotionally identify with other European countries are the subject of terrorist attacks and, whilst is not beyond all contemplation that Ireland might be attacked, it really does seem unlikely in the absence of evidence of a specific threat.
@Tony Daly:
The EU Commissioner for Security Union, Julian King has remarked that Ireland is not immune to the growing threat of “low-cost” terrorism such as that seen in London, Nice and other major European cities in recent times.
@Jack Cassady: the words “not immune” is not indicative of Ireland as a significant or material target.
The targets are the power countries, those which have engaged in, supported or been indentified with attack on nations in the Middle East. Ireland is not associated with these attacks.
It is conceivable that there might be an attack but for all kinds of practical reasons it does seem unlikely and even highly unlikely.
The Muslim community in Ireland is small and niot enough to cause a a polarised conflict.
@Tony Daly:
Erring on the side of caution is the preferable option I suppose rather than hand wringing and recrimination after the act.
Please God such an occurrence will never transpire but the mindset of ISIS is neither rational nor predictable.
@Tony Daly: as time advances, the probability of a terrorist attack in Ireland tends towards inevitable; Mr. Clonan is staking his relevance on the rule of the stopped clock..
@Tony Daly: @Tony Daly:
There were far more obvious and much more high-profile targets than Sweden, a neutral country too, but it didn’t stop them from being attacked.
I sincerely hope we won’t all be on here some day saying ‘we told you so’, but…..
@Tony Daly: Tony. They only have to carry out one attack and our tourism industry is history. What makes you think that we are immune from an attack
Premeditation is not proof of assistance.We live in a world where loners can collect and collate all the information required to plan and execute an attack.The explosive is almost childs play if the right Youtube sites are visited.Public records of buildings are not to hard to access and as for the movement of various potential targets….Facebook tends to give you all you want and more.
Loners do not show up on the grid,those that do provide a vital service,which is taking up valuable resources tracking their movements etc…
Which ever way you look at it..we are not capable of protecting ourselves and we never will be.
Not saying much really.He is doing his journalist thing and doing it not so well.If half of the insights he has here are true ,well then it looks as if we have a real expert to guide us.
Pointing out the obvious…nothing to learn here.
Captain hindsight strikes again!
@Susie Sunshine,
I did actually read the article and I passed a comment which I considered fair. You have a habit yourself of passing the odd comment yourself.
@Paul Mc: correct I do give the odd comment. . I just don’t get how you thought that the article was stating the obvious.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29528482
The above link shows a quoate from Biden as VP, which this site will not make me put on here.
The West with Turkey and Saudi Arabia helped Isis in the hope they overthrow Assad but they did not just help them with weapons and money but made Isis seem legit and an equal to the West. Instead of attacking Isis they thought they could use them and that made them seem as strong as the US etc.
This only gave them a popularity by giving them an image and it was this image that made them popular and it attracks lone wolves and a lone wolf can inspire another and then another.
If Isis was dealt with quickly and smoothly then there would be none of this as Isis creates racism, sectarianism, hatred and an idea of control and power. This is the legacy of allowing time for Isis because the US thought they could use them to get rid of Assad???
Blatant false flag attack,wake up!
@Steve Egan: did you take your meds today ?
@Suzie Sunshine: yes of course I did, BUT still doesn’t deflect from the fact that there’s an election in 2 weeks and false flags are part and parcel as to how these things operate..
@Steve Egan: NUUUURSE, THE DRUGS ARE WEARING OFF!!!
@Steve Egan: maybe you need to up your dosage ?
Seriously concerned as a Cork woman, why the distance betweenDublin and us was pointed out??
No shit Sherlock….
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