PixelLord wrote:
I was speaking with 3 guys from Ireland last year, and they said the real problem is now with hired paramilitaries, drug sales and turf wars over the territories to sell them.
Well, I'm no expert on the subject, but from what I udnerstand, there are still lots of problems in Northern Ireland, and unofficial "paramilitary" groups are one of them. Though if they were in England, they would just be called "thugs", "chavs", "pack of feral youth", or "gangs".
As for the drug sales and turf wars, well that's happening in every deprived corner of the UK, so I'm not sure it's NI specific.
The political settlement was still the first necessary step to start solving those other problems. Of which there are many.
And while I'm sure we can debate the religious element is the
real factor, it is still important, if only with regards to "identity".
But, all in all, it's looking good. The economic prospects are getting better, which has got to be the second most important step after the political settlement.