The police as far as the SAS were concerned? From my sources, it was a resounding success.

The biggest problem was the political will of London - they weren't willing to let the SAS "take care" of the whole problem. Reportedly, they actually had everybody in the IRA cataloged, and a HUGE assasination project (almost all the leaders, cell leaders and up) for one weekend planned, got the go code, everybody went, and an hour later got the "nah, nevermind".

Of course, this compromised a lot of assets, and a number of undercover/IRA informants were then killed.

Reportedly. Rumored. I can't confirm or deny what my sources tell me. :)

Addison