IRISH RE-UNIFICATION IS THE ONLY ANSWER.

Over the years, many politicians have claimed to have resolved the centuries-long conflict in Ireland but none has yet succeeded. The recent rise in the number of acts of violence seems to demonstrate that resolution remains some distance away.

 

The origins of the conflict are shrouded in the mists of time though the violence of recent times seems to be based on religion and the opposing desires of different elements of the Irish population - those who wish to see an independent and united Ireland versus those who wish to remain a part of the United Kingdom.

 

While one has to suspect that the vast majority of the population have no strong views in either direction, both sides have their fanatics who will stop at nothing to achieve their stated objective. "Why ?" is anyone's guess. The murder and mayhem perpetrated on the people has been a shocking indictment of Irish society as a whole and the tribal behaviour of some seems little different from that seen in the most savage nations of the third world. The recent petrol bombing of a police car in Belfast is simply another appalling manifestation of this animalistic warfare.

 

There can be no doubt that the British did some terrible things to the Irish in the past, particularly to the Roman Catholics, but this was now long ago. The continued hatred of the British by the Catholics and the continued celebration of their actions by the Protestants are both well passed their 'sell-by-dates'. It is long passed time that both sides in this atrocious conflict put down their guns, bombs and cudgels once and for all, and learnt to live with each other in a civilized fashion. If they can't do this, my vote would be very strongly in favour of severing the link between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom and letting them all get on with it.

 

For Britain, this situation is like having Afghanistan or Iraq on its doorstep; we neither want it nor need it. As Scotland prepares for its referendum on independence, it's time for Ireland to do the same, but all of Ireland, not just the north. Dividing a nation in the way that Ireland was divided in the 1920s hasn't worked and won't work. It's time to put things right.