Peace process handed Adams a ticket to 'his Republic'

Albert Reynolds deserved praise for bringing about the ceasefire but the IRA threat has never gone away

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams

Jim Cusack

In a private conversation after one of his last appearances on RTE to comment on the peace process, Albert Reynolds said he had a specific aim in an IRA ceasefire: improving the Irish economy. Ireland, he pointed out, appeared in the international media for only one reason, the IRA and its campaign of bombing and terrorism. No multi-national company leader would want to locate in a country only known abroad for its terrorist bomb outrages, he said. He made an IRA ceasefire his "number one priority".

His approach, he said, was to "embrace" Gerry Adams and "keep him in a bear hug" no matter what.