GOOD FRIDAY PEACE CAN’T BE A CHIP IN UK’S GAMBLE WITH EU

THIS weekend, a half century ago, a Derry Civil Rights march set off from Waterside railway station, heading for Duke Street. The peaceful protesters little imagined their demonstration would mark the beginning of a half century of carnage on this island. The marchers were attacked by police and the RTÉ footage of the savage baton charge was beamed around the world.

Perhaps it is fruitless to speculate on when precisely the Troubles began: who threw the first stone, or pulled the first trigger.

What we cannot afford to do, however, is to lose sight of the fact that more than 3,600 people were killed and thousands more injured.

It took three decades for the murderous genie to be put back in the bottle with the Good Friday Agreement, in 1998.

The devastation that attended each death – the grief, rage, and cycle of revenge that guaranteed more senseless murder – has hopefully been consigned to the past.

Many have forgotten how important the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s and 1970s was. Most see the conflict as a shoot-out between the paramilitaries and the British army. But thousands of courageous people took to the streets to plead for fundamental rights recognised all over the world.

Discrimination was rife, and only ended when the international spotlight made it too difficult to conceal. A long and terrible journey to accommodation has been made. But the reckless disregard recently displayed for the milestone agreement suggests that the price of peace has been devalued in the minds of opportunists, that can be cashed in for cheap political advantage.

The Good Friday Agreement is not a chip to be cast down casually on the rickety roulette wheel of Brexit.

It is an internationally recognised document; more importantly, it protects the delicate checks and balances necessary to maintain an extremely fine line between normality and chaos.

At its core is the priceless recognition of the primacy of consent.

That is why toying or tinkering with its intricacies is so dangerous.

Yesterday, Leo Varadkar said it was time to get down to business, believing a Brexit deal could be secured within two weeks.

As negotiations over the backstop agreement intensify the stakes rise, as do the tensions. One need only reference Arlene Foster’s “blood red lines” remark.

Mr Varadkar’s confidence is not matched in Downing Street. UK officials feel the Taoiseach is merely ramping up pressure on Theresa May. Mrs May is adamant a backstop cannot include imposing barriers between the North and the rest of the UK.

Brussels believes it can convince her to bend.

Both sides will have to compromise. Brexit may involve a leaving but it does not necessitate a burning of bridges.

It protects the checks and balances which maintain the fine line between normality and chaos