Another facet of the Troubles that has not, in my view, been adequately discussed is
the involvement of Americans, Irish expats in America , and American funding, in
supporting Irish paramilitaries
The existence of a Stateside organization (NorAid) to collect for and transmit funds to the IRA is documented
And likewise the involvement of Northeastern organized crime networks, especially those with ties to the notorious Whitey Bulger, in directly supplying arms and funds
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN AMERICAN ORGANIZED CRIME AND THE PIRA
is substantial
(to your point @Nevets )
And John Crawley, a US Marine who joined the PIRA, attempted to spearhead an effort to modernize the PIRA’s military tactics and weapons in the latter part of the Troubles
However, Crawley’s initiative was sidelined by Sinn Fein leadership
rhetorical question:
WHY WOULD ADAMS AND MCGUINNESS REFUSE TO INCORPORATE CURRENT MILITARY KNOWLEDGE FROM SOMEONE WITH US COUNTERINSURGENCY TRAINING?
Was it because Sinn Fein *had no intention of mounting a potentially successful military campaign?*
As @Beigelemon said, if Sinn Fein had already abandoned hope in the armed campaign, their refusal to accept Crawley’s help in training and planning, would make more sense
But why would Adams and McGuinness, in that case, pursue risky endeavors like procurement of illegal weapons from the USA (instead of their normal contacts, for example Libya),
if they had no intention of mounting an effective military campaign?