'Al, would you not allow the people of NI themselves to choose their form of governance?'

frankly no. they forfeited that right cos they couldn't behave themselves.

as Jim points out - the situation was artificial. but it has to be said - all the paraphernalia of democracy and a free press was open to them. they could have shouted louder.

but both sides went, no! sod that! we'd rather kill each other.

government or governance - whatever that means, its a bit like teaching. it implies an act of cooperation, a willingness to be governed. in Northern Ireland that act of cooperation with the parliament in London was missing.
what you require of the participants, ironically particularly the ones calling themselves loyalists is impossible. just face the facts.