My uncles used to call me a plastic Paddy when I was a teenager.
Its someone who says they are Irish but were not born in Ireland.
My family is Irish on my mums side.
When I was a teenager I decided I was Irish, after a holiday at my mums.
My Gran remembered a convoy of the Black and Tans being ambushed outside her house and some of my great uncles were members of the old IRA flying columns.
It gave me a great perspective when I served in North Ireland in that I could see both sides of the troubles and its various causes.
Then it shouldn't be too much trouble for you to admit that the loss of a spy was a calculated risk. In fact, I would expect you to appreciate the one military decision the Provos have made since they became terrorists.