dublin public face irish republican army bomb campaign peacemaker mainstream politician gerry adams define figure northern ireland 50-year journey sectarian torment relative stability adams announce intention step leader irish nationalist sinn fein party saturday ultimate goal unite ireland still elusive party leave dominant irish nationalist force british-ruled province also strong enough across border irish republic chance enter government 1970s 80s height ira bomb campaign end british rule northern ireland sinn fein operate ira political wing leader 1983 onwards adams thus become many britain northern ireland face ira result loathe pro-british unionists british government lionize equal measure irish nationalists yet prospect political progress arise show ready compromise work late former ira commander martin mcguinness swing ira province roman catholic minority behind 1998 deal pro-british protestant majority good friday agreement give province catholics share power largely end conflict 3,600 people kill many hand irish republican group ira others pro-british unionist paramilitaries british security force since adams help build sinn fein dominant irish nationalist party northern ireland oversee agreement 2007 share power bitter rival democratic unionist party recent months efforts restore power-sharing collapse january adams also announce saturday would stand re-election dublin parliament sit since 2011 move sinn fein fringe become irish republic third party main left-wing force adams bear belfast family steep revolutionary politics several relatives involve arm republicanism 20 leave job barman help defend fellow catholics saw hostile british state fight northern ireland split unite kingdom unite irish republic like father adams intern hold without trial suspicion senior ira commander always deny membership ira although accusations former ira fighters involve campaign kill dog throughout career 1988 1994 adams ban speak british airwaves oversized glass red-tinged beard instantly recognizable voice unknown broadcasters actors dub word former british conservative prime minister john major one architects peace northern ireland say think sit talk adams turn stomach adams time walk political tightrope ira hawk argue continuation violence would chase britain island doves say negotiations route unite ireland emerge political cold october 1997 shake hand new labour prime minister tony blair first meet sinn fein poll 17 percent northern ireland elections return adams british parliament although refuse take seat within year adams mcguinness help broke peace deal largely end violence province since deal role statesman grow make several visit white house arrest 2014 part investigation one province controversial murder charge bring latterly use social media create grandfatherly image irish republic post dog taste cartoon gerry adams face ira help cement northern ireland peace