So the once distant prospect of a united Ireland appears closer.

因此，一度遥远的统一爱尔兰的前景似乎更近了。

Pat Finucane defended members of the IRA during their armed campaign to unite Northern Ireland with the Irish Republic.

爱尔兰共和军称武装团结北爱和爱尔兰共和国，帕特·芬努凯恩为之做了辩护。