London killing - Deplorable scenario

The sheer brutality of a British soldier butchered in broad daylight on a London street brings a new and chilling dimension to the meaning of terrorism. If, as widely suspected, the work of two machete-wielding assassins was a so-called ‘lone-wolf’ operation, it is very worrying indeed.

Clearly, Wednesday’s murder was for the camera, in the knowledge it would be flashed around the world on social media. In propaganda terms, the manic killers have achieved their aim. Regardless of whether this fanatical act is linked to Islamic radicalism, the most frightening aspect from the UK viewpoint is that the killers are British citizens.

In this deplorable scenario, Irish people can ill afford to be holier-than-thou. Bringing terror to the heart of London is not the sole preserve of Islamic fundamentalists. The killing coincides with an IRA murder 30 years ago of four soldiers from the same barracks where the latest victim was based.