The Northern Secretary's decision to visit the Maze Prison to try to persuade loyalist prisoners to back the talks process evoked a wide range of reactions across Northern Ireland.
While most people were slow to condemn Dr Mowlam and believed she was genuinely trying to save the peace process, there was considerable anger that men convicted of terrible crimes were seen to be the ones in control of the process.
One east Belfast woman in Belfast city centre yesterday said she could not agree with the visit, regardless of the outcome. "The world has gone crazy. Imagine going into a prison to ask people not to go back to killing people."
A businessman in Banbridge, where a 500lb car bomb was defused on Tuesday night, said he believed prisoners were getting too much attention. "Why is everybody suddenly running in to talks to prisoners? They have far too much say."
Surprisingly, many people who had lost relatives or friends in the violence of the past 30 years supported Dr Mowlam. Ms Frances Brady, whose father was killed by Michael Stone, said she did not object to the meeting with her father's killer. "I have to get on with my life. I can't waste any more time thinking about him."
A man whose wife was killed by the UFF said it was difficult to accept even though he agreed with the visit in principle. "The fact that she could be talking to the man who killed my wife is hard, but at the end of the day, she has to talk to these people."
Letters to Belfast newspapers also reflected the anger felt by some. "It could only be in Northern Ireland that the future of our peace is dictated by convicted criminals behind bars," said one, while another letter-writer asked: "Are these prisoners now telling society that if they are not re leased for the crimes they have committed, they will continue their campaign of bombing, murder, maiming and destruction?"
Many callers to radio programmes, however, backed Dr Mowlam, saying she was acting in a truly Christian way. One man said she was following the example of Jesus Christ by "walking among the outcasts".
A woman whose son was killed said: "It is very hurtful, because bereaved families are forgotten about. All we have is a graveyard. My son won't be getting released in six months."