This is were many people miss the point, SF has a private army at its back,every politician recognises that.

If SF was the ruling government in their own country such as USA you would have a valid point, as it is those who they are gathering intelligence for is a terrorist organisation, lets not loose sight of that.

If the republic of Ireland was caught gathering intelligence I say you would have a valid point,but to put SF/IRA on the same level is ludicrous. Would the SDLP have the right to gather information which can be used to destabilise the government and threaten lives, they do not get involved in that, as they follow the democratic process.

It has been said "the IRA have not gone away you know", why say that and claim your following the democratic process? But if you do not do what we want we'll bring back the boy's. Instead of accusing those who try to prevent a corrupt political party with dubious partners with dirty tricks, try asking what use such information is to SF and how it benefits it's terrorist wing.

If you cannot make the leap I'll try, the info gathered at Castlereagh is of vital importance to a terrorist group who wants to know the name add and Tel.No. of those who try to stop them making and planting their bombs. And as is human nature people will always cry foul when they are prevented from doing want they want to do.

It was such intelligence that led to the Canary Wharf, mortar attack on Downing St. need I go on? To moan about combating the intelligence gathering of a terrorist organisation is reprehensible, in the past it has saved lives and that Mc G of H your condemning with such comments.