Terrorism inevitably fills Northern Ireland’s power vacuum
Absence of legitimate power gives terrorism perfect conditions to thrive
PSNI officers conduct searches in the Bogside area of Derry on Friday. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
The past few weeks in Northern Ireland reminded me of Sherlock Holmes’s comment about the importance of the “observation of trifles”. On the surface the evidence may suggest that we shouldn’t get too worried about events in Belfast and Derry – one politician described it to me as follows: “It’s that time of year, after all, and the trouble is restricted to a couple of areas.” But closer observation reveals disturbing signs that something is happening which should worry all of us who value democracy and political stability.
In Derry there have been blast and petrol bombs, rioting, shots fired at the police and orchestrated attacks on the mostly unionist area known as the Fountain. Some commentators have tried to underplay the seriousness and significance of the events, claiming it’s mostly young people, some of whom aren’t even in their teens. But none of this happens accidentally. People, irrespective of age, don’t suddenly decide – just because there have been weeks of sunshine – to attack their neighbours, erect barricades, toss bombs and lure police into areas where gunmen are waiting. All of this was orchestrated. It is terrorism.