The screw must keep being turned on paramilitary crime

The report recognises that it is understandable that police commanders have had to be pragmatic.

But the fact of such engagement, which is widely known across society, is an indication of the deep problems that Northern Ireland faces. After all, the community at large, which entirely repudiated Provisional IRA terrorism, was in 1998 presented with an option of power sharing with the IRA’s political representatives or face an imposed settlement.

Illegality and ugliness is rife in Northern Ireland.

Some dedicated loyalist killers are celebrated as heroes by loyalists bands. Some dedicated republican killers are commemorated in public memorials or by GAA groups.

Loyalist and republican youths have often rioted in urban areas across Northern Ireland. The police have to react with the utmost restraint to such violence, as their response will be carefully examined for any hint of wrongdoing.

In July 2012, dissident-inspired thugs in the Ardoyne engaged in some of the worst rioting seen in Northern Ireland in years because Orangemen were only given a partial Parades Commission restriction rather than a full ban. The following year, the dissidents were appeased with a full return march ban.

Many unionists detected bias in the way in which loyalist flag protestors were later brought systematically before the courts. However, we do need to see all rioters and other paramilitary-style offenders, big and small, brought to court.

There have been encouraging recent signs. Republican displays at funerals are now being challenged. Some fuel cheats are, it seems, facing charges after a period in which no-one seemed to be accountable, despite many raids. Even Slab Murphy has ended up behind bars, albeit for tax evasion.

If this means the screw is being turned, that is welcome. It must continue until groups engaged in paramilitary crime, or their apologists, are banished from the public sphere.