THREATS OF further attacks on members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) by the Real IRA are a chilling reminder that, for some people, democracy and public opinion are of no importance. These dissident republicans have become so isolated and fanatical in their views that they regard anyone who disagrees with them as an enemy. Overtaken by history, they threaten the peace process that has made them redundant and the political structures that offer equality of treatment and opportunity to both communities.
Their isolation within the nationalist community is emphasised by their political impotence. Not a single candidate will represent their views when the Assembly elections are held next Thursday. Instead, the vibrancy of politics in Northern Ireland and the transforming nature of the peace process will be reflected in open, democratic debate by a range of political parties from both communities that are vying for positions in the Assembly and on a powersharing Executive. A dialogue of social co-operation and economic development has been led by First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. No attempt has been made to hide continuing political differences. But the shared objective is to offer all in their society an opportunity to prosper and succeed, regardless of background.
So-called dissident republicans are a small minority of extremists who operate on both sides of the Border. Their murderous activities cannot be justified. It would be gratifying to believe that logic and reason can change the minds of the leadership of these groups. But past experience does not offer much hope in that regard. In spite of that, avenues of communication should be kept open to hammer home the message that the path they are taking leads only to death, despair, and misery for themselves and for their communities. In the meantime, co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI should be maintained at its present, effective, level. Recent arrests, arms-finds and information-sharing have had a measurable effect on potential terrorist activity.
Intensive policing and cross-Border co-operation will, in time, defeat these misguided individuals. A reformed, community-based PSNI is the most potent weapon they face. Because of that – and in spite of a countrywide outcry over the murder of PSNI officer Ronan Kerr in Omagh – they have threatened to kill more nationalist and unionist members of the force. The extent of their paranoia, isolation and political denial leads them to dismiss as irrelevant “the criminal Free State government” while insisting they will not be dissuaded from their murderous activities by “the GAA, the Catholic Church and constitutional nationalism”. The leadership represented by the man in the balaclava mask are sad cases but extremely dangerous. Their sense of persecution makes them arrogant and dismissive of public opinion. Because of that, those communities they are trying to dominate should reject them. They have everything to gain from doing so. As US Congressman Richard Neale remarked: “there can be no room in a representative democracy for somebody standing in a mask, making threats”.