Adams admitted it on Friday: âThis is a phase of political activity that is about persuasion; itâs about democratic conversations and winning support for Irish unity. Violent actions will not assist this process.
âViolent actions will make the task of achieving a yes vote more difficult. So, consider the options. Examine the possibilities. And donât miss this opportunity.â
Yet back in 1969 Adams and others concluded that âviolent actionsâ would assist the process. On March 8, 1973 â the day of the last border poll â the IRA left four car bombs in London. Two detonated, one outside the Old Bailey and the other at Scotland Yard, injuring almost 200 people.
Gerry Kelly, one of the people convicted of those bombs, is now in favour of a border poll. Marian Price, also convicted of the bombings, named Adams as an IRA member and her family didnât want him at her funeral. Back in 1973 Adams and others did âconsider the optionsâ and the option they chose was naked, bloody terror.