When we were in Northern Ireland last year, we were quite shocked to see the chief constable on tele calmly explaining how the various paramilitary groups were currently vying to be the first to kill a policeman. Seems the Continuity IRA now hold that dubious honour, as they have claimed the murder of Stephen Carrol, a policeman shot dead from behind in an unmarked patrol car. This two days after the Real IRA shot and killed two soliers, leads to some pretty serious unease about the stability of the peace accords. I was, then, please dto see in today's paper that Belfast held a kind of silent vigil, both sides standing together, to denounce the actions of these paramilitary groups. I hope they mean it.

I will write more about this and my experiences in Northern Ireland when I get around to writing up my trip journal, as I definately have more to say. Such a beautiful country, so very, very badly broken.