In the time I spent in the UK it seemed to me that ascribing some sort of political or religious motive to the IRA always seemed to be attributing too much to them.
Despite all the over-wrought, dramatic rhetoric, they came across as little more than common criminals, should be treated as such and pursued ruthlessly.
Paramilitaries?
Bull****. Just scum with guns and the odd big bomb.
Freedom fighters, my arse.