"reported to have happened" - well I suppose that that is a quantum shift from categorical statements and hysterical rants that they DID happen.

The cause of the troubles? Appalling governance by the Unionists in Northern Ireland, who refused to move with the times, not helped in any way whatsoever by a bunch of nationalist/republican eejits with guns and explosives who strangely got it into their heads that violence could unite Ireland - possibly got that daft notion from another bunch of nationalist/republican eejits who tried the same thing 100 years before.

Had the nationalist/republican paramilitaries had the sense to do what the Official IRA did in 1972 (i.e. Just leave it to peaceful protest by the NICRA) then you'd be a damned sight closer to a united Ireland than you are now, more than 3,500 people would still be alive and 47,000+ would not have been wounded and maimed for life.