There was a time when the African National Congress and Sinn Féin were bruited as progressive or even revolutionary forces by the bulk of the left, and equally vehemently repudiated as repugnant men of violence by most of the right.

Thirty years ago, our side used to stage sit-down protests outside South Africa House and went on Troops Out marches. Their side flounced around in ‘Hang Nelson Mandela’ T-shirts and ensured that Gerry Adams could only be heard on television if his voice was overdubbed by an actor. Continue reading →