Green mask slips to reveal criminals

EVERY now and then, something nasty happens to remind us all of how very thin the veil between violent criminality and what passes for Republicanism — and Loyalism — really is. 

The mask slips, blood is spilt, lives are taken but ‘The Cause’ is invoked as a cover. However, anyone with eyes to see will recognise the criminality involved.

The murder of former Real IRA chief Aidan ‘The Beast’ O’Driscoll by killers who did not feel the need to even disguise themselves in Cork this week is the latest example confirming that Wrap-the-Green-Flag-’Round-Me-Boys republicanism is more often a flag of convenience than a noble cause for those happy to use the dark arts needed to sustain violent nationalism for criminal, personal gain.