Some had dared to hope that the sort of sorrowful scenes represented by the funeral yesterday of murdered Belfast postal worker, Daniel McColgan, might be a thing of the past. But the forces of hatred are never far below the surface in Northern Ireland. After a number of weeks of relative peace and some appearances of normalisation, sectarian murder, intimidation and violence are again unleashed in North Belfast.
When underlying hatreds burst through in such vile manifestations, it is important that there be cool heads at community level and steady hands among those in authority. The threats against teachers, postal workers, and others, may have faint resonances of 1974 when loyalist paramilitaries subverted the political processes, paralysing essential services through widespread intimidation. These have been particularly grim days and there is real fear in the voices on the streets.
Postal services have been suspended in many areas. There was a two-minute silence in workplaces to mark Mr McColgan's burial. Trade union leaders have called for a half-day stoppage on Friday. It is right that the message go clearly and unambiguously to those who direct loyalist violence: the great mass of ordinary people may have apprehensions and doubts about the peace process and the political path; but they want an end to murder and to intimidation. It is essential that the UDA withdraws its ghastly sectarian death-threats.
The loss of half-a-day's industry is, of course, regrettable. But no effort must be spared to de-escalate the situation and to avoid the possibility of further breakdown in the various ceasefires.
Community pressure is essential. Strong measures by the authorities are no less so. Arrests have already been made in connection with Mr McColgan's murder and a sizeable security force was deployed yesterday morning to ensure the safety of the community in the high-risk areas of north Belfast.
But there are continuing questions over policing policy and resources. The Economic Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has been forthright in his criticism of PSNI failure to move against "a relatively small number of hoods" who are behind the present violence. People in north Belfast know who they are, he said, and how they have acquired their assets.
There is a growing crisis in policing throughout Northern Ireland. As the old RUC members move on, weaknesses in operational structures are exposed and the dearth of experienced commanders - especially in the middle ranks - becomes greater. The PSNI is only half a reality with Sinn Féin still refusing to fully accept it. A police service which is still caught in a political crossfire is at best an inadequate response even to ordinary crime. Faced with the combination of street violence and planned, sectarian assault of recent days and nights, it must be strained to its very limits. Extraordinary security measures may help to calm North Belfast temporarily. But the vacuum in policing is potentially lethal.