Only those at war can truly seal the peace

Among the comments made by politicians on the death of Martin McGuinness, the most nuanced was that by Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt.

While sympathising with the McGuinness family, he expressed the view that “no one needed to die to get Northern Ireland to where it is today”.

The reality is that non-violent protest failed to achieve an end to discrimination and sectarianism. In 1969, the Battle of the Bogside in Derry began as a peaceful protest but ended in a riot. It was followed by Bloody Sunday in 1972.