The troubles continue to escalate in Northern Ireland yet no statement has been made by the Prim Minister. Yesterday military and security officials met in Belfast to discuss increasing the number of bomb disposal officers in the region because of the increasing threat.
One of the most senior counter-explosives officers in the Army is now in Norther Ireland to help plan the strategy to combat the rising tide of violence from dissident republicans. Last year there were 22 bombings and in the first eight months of this year there have been 49. On Monday a primary school in Antrim sent 400 pupils home after an eight-year-old carried a pipe bomb into class.
But it's the extent of the sophistication being seen as the militants' campaign gathers momentum which is causing the most concern. According to security and military sources the expertise has been brought over by former Provisional IRA bombmakers who have joined the ranks of the dissidents.
"What is noticeable is the number of car bombs and booby traps which are being brought into play and how they are being armed. We are also seeing a degree of callousness in the use of 'proxy bombs' which we certainly did not see from PIRA for many years."
It's time David Cameron took a high-profile interest in the goings-on in Northern Ireland before they affect the lives of more law abiding citizens. He can't continue to ignore the rising violence. As a Northern Irish friend said to me recently: "Peace process? There's never been real peace although there could be if there was the political will."
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