Northern Ireland new troubles are criminal, not political

For now. It could change

Days of recent unrest in Northern Ireland have caused everyone to have horrible flashbacks. It’s been 23 years after the Good Friday agreement ended decades of violence. Even though the recent incidents aren’t the old “Troubles”, as they used to be called, this new streak is profoundly troubling.

A bus hijacked and set on fire. A media photographer assaulted. Tyres and bins ablaze near a gate in a wall that separates Northern Ireland’s two communities, Protestants and Catholics (or the Unionists and Republicans). Very young hooded boys throwing petrol bombs and fireworks at police stations, while adults goad them on.

Everyone feels the deja vu. Everyone has said it’s appalling, unacceptable and unjustified. The First Minister, Arlene Foster. The Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill. The Irish taoiseach, Micheal Martin. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

But Mr Johnson’s expression of deep concern hasn’t sufficiently acknowledged his own role and that of the Brexit he championed.

There ar…