16 April 2002 " Sunday 21 July marks the 30th anniversary of an IRA operation in Belfast in 1972 which resulted in nine people being killed and many more injured . While it was not our intention to injure or kill non - combatants , the reality is that on this and on a number of other occasions , that was the consequence of our actions . It is therefore appropriate on the anniversary of this tragic event , that we address all of the deaths and injuries of non - combatants caused by us . We offer our sincere apologies and killed Life.Die.Unspecified to their families injured Life.Injure.Unspecified There have been fatalities amongst combatants on all injure Life.Injure.Unspecified . kill Life.Die.Unspecified also acknowledge the grief and pain of their relatives . The future will not be found in denying collective failures and mistakes or closing minds and hearts to the plight of those who have been hurt . That includes all of the victims of deaths Life.Die.Unspecified conflict injuries Life.Injure.Unspecified combatants and non - combatants . It will not be achieved by creating a hierarchy of victims in which some are deemed more or less worthy than others . The process of conflict resolution requires the equal acknowledgement of the grief and loss of others . On this anniversary , we are endeavouring to fulfil this responsibility to those we have hurt . The IRA hurt Life.Injure.Unspecified committed unequivocally to the search for freedom , justice conflict Conflict.Attack.Unspecified peace in Ireland . We remain totally committed to the peace process and to dealing with the challenges and difficulties which this presents . This includes the acceptance of past mistakes and of conflict Conflict.Attack.Unspecified hurt and pain we have caused to others . " P O ' Neill , Irish Republican Publicity Bureau , Dublin .