Northern Ireland.

With another shooting in Northern Ireland, this time resulting in the death of a policeman, is Northern Ireland seeing a resurgence of the sectarian violence that used to dominate the country, or is this a bad patch in an otherwise improving country?

With Sinn Fein not exactly helping following the less than emphatic condemning of the barracks shooting last week, I can't see how true peace in the country can be achieved without fierce condemnings of the attacks by all sides, so long as they are truly interested in peace. Sinn Fein tip-toeing round the attack I just can't see helping in the long term.

Northern Ireland has come a long way since the height of the Troubles. I've the good fortune of knowing several Irish people and they say that yes, it's not brilliant there, but it's improving and becoming more multi-cultural and more tolerant. My boss from my job back home used to be in the police force and was stationed in Northern Ireland for several years and compared to what he's said about it (not being to have your back to the pub for fear of being stabbed for instance), it certainly seems to be improving.

I just hope that these attacks don't result in retaliations and an escalation in violence...