Northern Ireland republican terror groups are reportedly targeting Catholics and Nationalists as revealed by an analysis on a recent survey on terrorism. Michael McGibbon, a taxi driver from north Belfast, became the latest victim of the civilian shootings claimed by the New IRA.
According to The Guardian, 80% of people victimized by the New IRA in the last decade have been Catholics and nationalists. The rebel groups claimed that to have represented these communities but a survey analysis from 2007 to 2015 on dissident activity reveal otherwise.
The survey records for the journal of Terrorism and Political Violence expose that "Catholics" and "criminals" comprised more than 77% of the 175 people harmed by groups such as the New IRA, Continuity IRA, and Óglaigh na hÉireann. Police officers and British soldiers only accounted for 15% and 0.5% of the overall casualties, respectively.
Terrorism expert John F. Morrison suggested that targeting civilians were a way for rebels to exert control in the community. He said, "What they are aiming to achieve is power and control. Through their actions and statements they are aiming to portray that both Sinn Féin and the police have abandoned the protection of these communities. They are emphasizing their belief that police are not protecting and cannot protect these communities against the scourge of drugs. They are also saying that the PSNI, in their eyes a 'British police force', has no legitimate right to protect."
Meanwhile, cab driver Michael McGibbon became the latest victim of the dissident violence. According to BBC, the 33-year old was shot in the legs outside his home in the republican district of Ardoyne on April 15 by the New IRA. He passed away in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital on April 16 after succumbing to blood loss.
According to the Belfast Telegraph, McGibbon's widow Joanne expressed her gratitude to the local Protestant community for their unconditional support during their family's grief in a letter to Methodist minister Rev Colin Duncan at the Woodvale Manse.
She wrote, "I have lots of friends who are Protestants and other religions and they all mean a lot to me. It just shows we are all human and feel the same way... I have nursed people from all religions/cultures and cared for them all equally."
McGibbons also expressed hope that the Protestant and Catholic communities of North Belfast would unite for the sake of all their children. Police said that the murder was the result of paramilitary struggles.
