From http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6282106.stm

11 December 1997 - FIRST SINN FEIN VISIT TO DOWNING ST

"I shook [Sinn Fein's Martin] McGuiness by the hand, who as he sat down, said fairly loudly, 'So this is the room where all the damage was done.'

"It was a classic moment where the different histories played out.

"Everyone on our side thought he was referring to the mortar attack on [John] Major and we were shocked.

"Yet it became obvious from their surprise at our shock that he was referring to policymaking down the years and Britain's involvement in Ireland."
I'm from Edinburgh, my wife is from Monaghan. When I read this I instantly thought of the attempt on Major and the Cabinet, while my wife's first thougt was UK policy in NI.

AC's anecdote seems to encapsulate a great deal.