There have been very worrying signs that the darker side is coming to the fore again .... there has always been low level violence in Northern Ireland. Even during the 'Peace Process' brokered about a decade ago, the republican gangs have operated as low level criminal enforcers ... allegedly certain sectors of the economy are run by former terrorist gangs, some of whom have drifted into completely criminals endeavours such as bank/post office raids, protection rackets and of course the ubiquitous drug trade (which now finances violence in large areas of the world).
Now however, despite the political and economic gains that have been part of the peace dividend, some sections of the 'Republican' movement have now apparently decided to resume the terror campaigns of the 1970's, 80's and 90's .... their aims are even less coherent than in that last campaign (where even the southern Irish state didn't want what they were proposing ... as it would simply have transferred the violence from Belfast to Dublin). Apparently they don't want Catholics to join the police so they are sending death threats to Catholics who have joined, and have just assassinated a Catholic police officer (after other attempts last year). They also have attempted to place bombs on roads and town centres .... bombs which would kill Catholics as well as Protestants,
This shows how twisted the 'logic' of terrorists becomes ... in order to 'protect' the Catholic community they kill and terrorise members of the same community ..... try and explain the rational behind that. Of course in reality the only 'threat' to the Catholic community now, comes from their 'protectors' in the 'Republican' movement. This has led to the strange sight of the former leaders of 'the struggle' as they termed it, having to condemn terrorism from another generation of 'Republicans' .... Martin McGuinness has urged the Catholic community to support the police, and others have also had to make political statements which they may otherwise never have made.
Ironically, while this has been happening, another face of Northern Ireland is being beamed to the world, as Rory McIlroy is trying to win one of the major events of golf, on the final day of the US Masters. So lets finish this post with an image of hope, and not one of terror.
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