For decades, the United States turned to look the other way as many of their Irish-American and other citizens eagerly funded IRA terrorists during the Troubles to attack and kill British (and Irish) soldiers and civilians.
They notoriously held fundraisers to fund for the IRA and have constantly meddled in the affairs of Northern Ireland.
Then, when 9/11 happened and they got a taste of terrorism courtesy of Islamic Jihadists suddenly that was unacceptable.
One, Irish-American Republican Congressman named Peter King famously said that “The IRA never attacked the USA and my loyalty is to the USA” when questioned about his hypocrisy in being so vigilant against Al-Qaeda after 9/11 yet having long praised and supported the IRA.
Not that I necessarily believe this, but what do you think of those on social media and elsewhere who say 9/11 was cathartic as the USA got a taste of their own medicine after what they did to Britain? Especially when considering how NYC has long been a hotbed for IRA support and how so many Irish-American firefighters and civilians died?
Of course, 9/11 had nothing to do with Britain or Ireland, but just an analogy that many of them eagerly funded terrorism against Britain and only took it seriously when it impacted them.