Amid all the "sectarian shit" as Jim puts it (presumably having the decency to embrace his own contributions in that description) I wonder if Keith et al have noticed that the ombudsman's report criticised primarily and unequivocally the RUC? It also notes, of course, the dubious role of the British government. Not much for Keith to shout about there, I wouldn't hae thought.

The Catholic church, for once, seems to have done little wrong. Presented only with unsubstantiated suspicions, what stronger action could it have taken? The church's dilemma was analogous with that of companies whose employees. sometimes working in security-sensitive situations, were interned in the 1971 round-up and subseuently released. In the turmoil of 1972 (through which I lived) tough decisions had to be taken on all sides and no-one got it right all of the time.

I don't think anyone would deny that some priests were active in the Provo cause, but it's not reasonable to blame the church for that. On the other hand that same church, through the whole history of irish nationalism, was often too entranced with empire to raise a murmur against the iniquities piled on its own flock.

Again I'm in total agreement with John MacK - it's bcoming a habit. As for some of Richard Bridge's comments in this thread,that they come from him I find surprising and depressing.