You must realize, Big Tim, that the situation in Northern Ireland is now in the "what's in it for me?" stage.

Membership of fascist paramilitary organizations (loyalist and nationalist alike) has given these thugs a position of power and influence within their respective communities (ie, one of the last things Robert McCartney would have heard in Magennis's pub was "Do you know who I am?"). You can understand their consternation when rumours of disbanding their organizations began to surface.

Gerry: "The war's over, lads. Go back to your normal lives".

Members of the "Movement" "But Gerry, this is our normal lives."

While a select few with paramilitary backgrounds can expect to make a reasonably good living as politicians, TV pundits, authors, and after-dinner speakers, most of the rank and file will find themselves looking at careers as bouncers, black taxi drivers, or – if they are lucky - eco-tourist guides in the Columbian jungle.

Not for them the holiday home in Donegal or Spain. The deafening silence from the patrons of Magennis's bar demonstrates the influence these criminals have in Northern Ireland, where they can kill without fear of being brought to justice. Of course they don't want the war/struggle/campaign to end. They're doing well out of it.

The Northern Bank raid? Just a walk in the park – and a little something to put by for the old age pension.