The IRA saw their role as to free the 6 counties under British rule. As an Irishman, I can say that they had very little public support as we saw them for the thugs they were. Unfortunately, there was a groundswell of support for the internationally anytime the British troops played them at their own game and worked outside the law. This lesson was hard-learned by the British, but due to political - not military - efforts on all sides the horrific attacks by the IRA and the British forces are now dispatched to the past and thankfully you need to ask us for our memories.
Now I see the US portrayed as criminal in the media and popular opinion, due to their actions in Guantanemo bay, Iraq and Afghanistan, all of which can be argued as being illegal. And the same groundswell of support for murderous thugs like Al Qaeda comes this time from the youth of the eastern world, in particular the Muslim population. The US seems to be repeating the mistakes made by others in the past.
One big difference this time is that the West is the target, not just one country, and the war is religious, not solely political.
To put the Republicanophobia (as you call it) into perspective, an Irish comedian asked the crowd at Wembley at (I think The Secret Policeman's Ball) "Who likes Al Qaeda? I Love them."...stunned silence..."Let's face it, I can come to the UK now with no hassles. 10 years ago i was a terrorist suspect, now I'm one of the Riverdance People!"
It was a huge issue, but less so now.