Den, my speculation is as valid as yours, and more than plausible.
IRA routinely used(use?) violence, threats and intimidation to achieve their ends, as did all the other paramilitary thugs on both sides.

You were a big man when crossing swords with poor, confused, Arran/Guitar/Tam, and you were belligerent enough with me until your arguments fell down.
Then you whinged that you meant somthing other than what you said,
and then you play the victim card like Republicans always do.
Pathetic.