What are the police to do,they know the antics of SF, if two officers went in would they have been able to carry out the search without any hindrance.

No matter what the point is a serious issue has been raised,in such a way that it cannot be swept under the carpet by spin doctors. If such actions lead to the end of the GFA it is not the fault of those who try to keep the law.

Has SF/IRA offered any assurances to the prison officers that they will not be targeted? It is very serious threat to have your details on a terrorists list, SF should be doing every thing in it's power to reassure the families of these officers, they are going through a terror process now, instigated by SF/IRA .That's one of the real consequences of the intelligence gathering by terrorists and the issue is being skirted around.

I agree with Big Tim, and think that is the only context that this should be looked at.

One point though the problem of the policing issue lies squarely on the shoulders of those who advised Catholic's not to join the police, people like Hume, priest's, SF and of course the threat of death by the IRA. Otherwise we would have had the 50/50 force everyone wants.