Terrorists in gaol
The Dublin government is to be congratulated on its steadfast refusal in any fashion to give way to pressure from the IRA to relieve the self-imposed suffering of the terrorist hunger-strikers in Laois Prison. For some time successive Westminster governments have sought to persuade successive governments of the Irish Republic to do their duty in the battle against terrorism. An ironic situation has now arisen in that Mr Cosgrave's government has chosen to be tough at a time when our own Government, quite unpardonably and stupidly, has been trying to be soft.
It is only right, now, that Mr Wilson should follow Mr Cosgrave's lead, especially in these weeks following the Gardiner Report. Lord Gardiner appears to have got the formula for Ulster about two thirds right. He was right to recommend the continuation for the moment of detention without trial, though quite wrong to argue that this essential weapon against terrorism should be taken out of the hands of the authorities at the earliest possible date. But he was overwhelmingly right to recommend the withdrawal of special political status and privileges from detained terrorists. The murderers and thugs presently in captivity without trial are gangsters and no more: they should therefore receive no privileges other than those ordinarily accorded the common or garden criminal.
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