SOMETHING is rotten in the state of Ireland. It is now almost 30 years since 33 innocent people were savagely murdered and scores mutilated in the single biggest act of carnage committed in the course of the Troubles.

TONY Blair’s recent TV interview with Jeremy Paxman revealed much about the basis of US-UK policy and why the vast majority of people throughout the world (including many of the citizens of these countries) are totally opposed to war in Iraq.