You're right. It isn't as simple as that. Whereas the IRA were Catholics, the distinction is that they were NOT and NEVER DID commit atrocities in the name of Catholicism, but on historical grounds routed in the way that the Irish were badly historically treated by the English and by sectarian power struggles with Loyalists. It had and has nothing whatsoever to do with religion and everything to do with a hate culture which spanned generations. Religion is and always was an excuse used by both sides; there's nothing within their belief structures that even remotely hints at discrimination and hatred of others. However history judges the English, the IRA cannot still uphold old hatreds and call it a legitimate war many, many generations on. They are terrorists plain and simple and are no Catholics since by definition they ex-communicate themselves by their actions. The same is not true of these muslim extremists. To them, they are not acting in an extreme manner, but legitimising their actions by their interpretation of their faith. It's massively different from what happened in N Ireland and bears no comparison.
Islamic terrorists carry out these atrocities in the name of Islam, more specifically on justification based on certain factions' interpretations of Islamic faith. They are not "simply" just "evil individuals"...their actions are as a direct consequence of what they believe, not some mental health issue (although you have to question the sanity of any person, no-matter what they believe, to carry out such evil deeds).Whilst it's true that there are many peace loving muslims in the UK, by and large a majority of Muslims no doubt, it is questionable to suggest that Islam is a peaceful religion. It depends upon what interpretation is used and only the naive multiculturists wash their hands of the truth and deny the evidence presented time and time again world wide. There are some branches of Islam which are treated as animals and killed in dreadful ways by other factions. Just look what Isis have done to their "own"! It's too late for the UK to control what happens now. Blair pushed the Multicultural ticket hard, and he has to take some responsibility for not just "unjust" wars in Iraq, but also for there results of his multiculturism agendas. We share little to nothing in common with Islamic culture and whilst the UK has become ever more secularised from it's Christian heritage, Islam has been supported, grown and is flourishing in most parts of the UK. Some towns are known hotbeds (Luton or Bedford anyone?) with known extremists present today, some of whom have travelled back from places like Syria and are known to the security services. Why and how they were allowed back in goodness only knows.
Wake up and smell the coffee folks. We're reaping what we have encouraged and sown. To say that we should not allow our communities to be divided just seems naive nonsense, a total denial that this great evil is present in the UK and these people will continue to take innocent lives. us just bending over further and taking more of this evil whilst singing cum by yah with open arms is laughable and won't change a single thing. We don't radicalise Muslims....they are radicalised by factions of their own Islamic faith! The security services need to take far stronger and more co-ordinated action than they so far have, root out the extremist believers and deport their evil ar%es.
RIP to all killed in last nights atrocities. God rest them. Our wishes and prayers have to be with the survivors, including the injured, their relatives, friends and those who witnessed such horror.