Conclusions

The dark days of the 20^th century are over, however, the legacy of Northern Ireland’s troubles continues to cast its shadow over the country to this day.

Although there was a clear sectarian divide before The Troubles, the violence and fear of violence have led to a continuation of division in working class areas of Belfast. The “Peace Lines” are an ever present reminder that there is still fear of sectarian violence. While people across Northern Ireland want the walls to be taken down, many of those actually living along the walls have made clear their desire for the walls to remain. While the government of Northern Ireland is attempting to have all of the walls down by 2025, it is looking increasingly unlikely that they will be able to accomplish this.

The paramilitary groups that brought terror to the streets of Belfast, Londonderry, and the rest of Northern Ireland have a very overt presence in Ulster. While they all claimed to disarm in the early 2000s, hundreds of punishment shootings and a handful of murders speak against that. Realizing that terrorism is no longer profitable, Loyalist groups like the UDA and the UVF act in an almost mafia like manner in protestant areas across Ulster, and drug smuggling, prostitution, racketeering, and murder are not acts that they shy away from. On the Republican side, dissidents groups like the New IRA act in the same manner as the Loyalists, although they also still lead an armed struggle against Her Majesty’s government. While they have failed to gain any support from the vast majority of the Catholic population, they’re dangerous none the less, and even today occasionally succeed in killing or injuring members of the security services.

Because of the continued threat of terrorism and prevalence of violent protests, the PSNI remains a well-armed and well equipped police force. They remain the only armed police service in the United Kingdom, and armoured Land Rovers still seem to be their patrol vehicle of choice. However, they have made some important steps since 1998, and policies like 50/50 recruitment have strengthened the idea that the PSNI is a neutral force serving both communities. However, the PSNI is still criticized by many, including Sinn Fein, Northern Ireland’s second largest political party. Meanwhile, the courts continue to investigate some of the more controversial killings from The Troubles, and 56 incidents are still under review.

It’ll take years for the memories and mistrust from The Troubles to disappear. While Northern Ireland today is leaps and bounds above how it was, the violent days of The Troubles are in living memory of many people here. Murals and memorials to those who fought and died are still well kept, radicals continue to try to bring back the war, and some communities remain as separated as before. While the fighting may be over, its legacy certainly lives on.

Finally, here are the outcomes of my survey. I survey 50 people from Belfast and Londonderry. The vertical axis should be read as percentages of respondents, not actual number of respondents.