The recent massacre perpetrated by a lone gunman in Norway has made leaders in democratic countries review the threat to their societies from extremist anti-democratic elements.
In recent years the security services have focussed on the threat from Islamic extremism. This threat has not diminished despite the elimination of Osama bin Laden and there can be no relaxation of vigilance of Islamic extremists.
The peace process in Northern Ireland has gone a long way toward bringing the Protestant and Catholic communities to a recognition that violence will not solve the problems of the province, but recent acts of violence by disaffected elements on both sides show there is still a long way to go before everyone in Northern Ireland realizes that there is no place for extreme sectarianism in a democratic society.