Because the IRA focks blew the ***** out of a bunch of innocent people in Omagh ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/151985.stm ), turning the former sympathizers in Ireland and the USA against them. Even the Kennedy's turned against the IRA. That's almost like a Kennedy turning against the pope.

Lacking support, the Republicans had no alternative but to essentially negotiate terms of surrender.

B