And it is why they bore the seeds of their own destruction, as well as the seeds of the destruction in Omagh. There is considerable advantage for them to be seen to 'deal' with the situation. However this raises a real moral dilemma for the Southern and UK governments. Or more accurately, wanted. There is evidence that the Real IRA is disintegrating under the pressure of mass loathing.
Terrorist organisations can only survive with, at a minimum, the acquiesience of people.
They no longer have have anything approaching that. They are surrounded by enemies. They are on the run.