Political violence is no option as the bullet was shunned by both sides in the conflict
Recent developments in Northern Ireland are taking a troubling turn for the worse. In the past 10 days alone, a huge homemade bomb was discovered by police, its control detonation wire leading over the border to the Republic of Ireland, and two small explosive devices were found near the home of a police officer in Derry.
After 30 years of bitter political and sectarian violence, it would seem that the province put its turbulent times behind it. The Real IRA, however, is determined to turn back the clock to dark days of bombing, shootings, civil disobedience and the militarisation of Ulster.
Both sides in this conflict have chosen the ballot box over the bullet; there can be no going back.
Indeed, the Northern Ireland Police Service acknowledges the help from the nationalist community in preventing these bombings.
Those who continue to advocate political violence in Northern Ireland should be shunned by all. The times have changed forever.
