Russ
I was positing something a bit different. That the IRA are not a terrorist group* at all but that their use of force has been unjust (or immoral) since not later than c. 1974.

*Merely committing terrorist acts does nto make one a terrorist group. Virtually all armed organizations have committed terrorist acts. The issue, for me, is whether terrorism is their usual method.

TradeSurplus
In effect, you are both using the same word to describe different phenomena so it is only to be expected that the application of that word will differ.

Russ
The definition you ascribe to Paul has some problems. I'm sure we all agree that the Palestinian groups who do homicide bombings are terrorist groups, yet they have a popular mandate and they are fighting on their own land.