But it didn't end there, did it Den? For JimmyC's sake as well as yours, it's worth repeating that an announcement was made in the bar that the whole incident was "IRA business." Evidence was destroyed, and the tapes from security cameras were handed over to an IRA guy. (See the IRA statement, etc.)

Jimmy implies that it's an easy to defy the code and grass up the hoods, when he says: "how come the McCartneys were not intimidated?" He should know better. The way the McCartneys have stood up to be counted is exceptional and must have taken exceptional guts. They may well have paid a heavy price for their courage (the fact that they publicised the offer of reprisal shootings shows just how stupidly the IRA was thinking) - except that pretty much the whole of the intensely republican Short Stand community came on to the streets to support them.

"Laura" suggests the McCartneys were acting on legal advice when they turned down the IRA offer. According to their own account it was because they wanted justice, not revenge. She may think the McCartneys are liars. I believe them.

The Curator seems to think it quite acceptable in a democracy for a private army (allegedly on ceasefire) to "deal with" errant volunteers. But then he probably doesn't know it's a democracy because he's stuck in the past.

I'm just relieved that a recent poll shows Sinn Fein's electoral support holding up strongly despite the IRA's apparent determination to score own goals. With any luck the Provos will now disband, their job having been done long since. And if they don't, SF should kick them into touch. They've now got everything to gain, north and south, if they go for it through the ballot box and abandon the armalite.