Irish Examiner view: Here's hoping we continue to 'pluck the flowers of safety'

It was Shakespeare who wrote: 'From this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety'. Let us hope that this is the case during an important and historic week for us all

It’s hardly surprising the domestic terrorism threat level in the North should have moved up a notch from 'substantial' to 'severe'. Picture: George Sweeney/Alamy

Given the twin factors of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and the arrival of the American-Irish US president Joe Biden next week, it’s hardly surprising that the domestic terrorism threat level in the North should have moved up a notch from “substantial” to “severe”.

This is the second-highest rating applied by UK intelligence, and is the same level put in place before the Ariana Grande Manchester Arena concert six years ago. It is accompanied by warnings from the PSNI of potential attacks upon their officers from dissidents over this weekend.