Clearly the IRA hasn't gone away. The latest statement from the Provisional IRA on the murder in Belfast of Robert McCartney by some of its former members is a breach of its ceasefire, in intent if not in action.
It shows just how detached from political reality and democratic values that organisation has become. It underlines the imperative for the Sinn Féin leadership to convince the IRA that the greatest contribution it can make to the peace process is to decommission all weapons, end all criminal and paramilitary activities and disband now. Is this goal deliverable by Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness?
There is little doubt this detailed statement about the killing of Mr McCartney, issued in the name of P O Neill, is designed to provide a breathing space for an organisation that is under enormous internal and external pressure. It is aimed primarily at the republican community in Northern Ireland where a perverted form of law and IRA order has been in operation for many years. It is attempting to resist the growing demand by ordinary people in those areas for justice, normal policing and the rule of law. The most chilling aspect of this extraordinary statement concerns the offer made to the McCartney family to shoot four of the people directly involved in the murder. The statement did not specify whether those reprisals would involve IRA 'executions' or merely 'punishment shootings'.
But the brutal nature of the offer - represented as a gesture of goodwill to the family and an indication of the IRA's good faith to the community - will act as a wake-up call to democrats on both sides of the Border. It exposes a mindset that should have withered many years ago if the IRA was truly committed to the peace process and to the principles of consent, equality and democracy.
The family has rejected the gruesome offer. The McCartney sisters demanded the people responsible for the murder should be tried in a court of law. With tremendous courage and perseverance, they have challenged the IRA - and Sinn Féin - within their own community and outside it, insisting that the only way forward is through due process through the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the courts.
We were treated to some theatricals at the Sinn Féin ardfheis in Dublin last weekend. The McCartney sisters were invited to attend as guests of honour. They heard soothing words from the Sinn Féin leaders who condemned the killing and said those responsible should be tried in a court of law.
Did Mr Adams and Mr McGuinness know about the latest IRA statement? After everything that has been said by them, do they agree with the IRA reserving the right to impose summary justice, summary shooting, perhaps summary execution? And to join a government and assume responsibility for policing? Something has to give. Sinn Féin and the IRA cannot proceed with the peace process, inside and outside democracy.