I was reminded this week of two horribly violent incidents from our past which vividly focused my mind on how far we sank into an abyss of depravity.

Firstly, Sunday was the 30th anniversary of the brutal killing of 21-year-old Jillian Johnston, when gunmen opened fire on her and her boyfriend as they arrived home from a night out. I remember the paper reporting on it at the time and even in the increasingly desperate violence of the late 1980s I recall being especially shocked at the senseless horror of it all.

Thirty years on, a shiver went down my spine at the recollection at the cruel end to her young life.

Surely, I thought, nobody wants to ever go back to those days and everyone realises now that people do not deserve such horrendous hurt.

No?

Then I read a couple of comments on Twitter; someone who calls himself Tommy Targaryen sent a taunting message to Stephen Gault, recalling an “explosive conversation” he had with his father….who was, of course, killed in the Enniskillen bomb.

How could anyone of any political persuasion be so sick and depraved. And whether it’s heartless indifference to other people’s suffering, or gloating triumphalism, it’s hard to imagine that a human being would taunt somebody over the violent death of their father.

These two atrocities were the work of the Provisional IRA, but over decades we saw Republicans, loyalists and the State engage in a dirty war which destroyed lives and were a shame on society.

It would be irresponsible of me to suggest that the present impasse in Northern Ireland could see us slip back to the dark deeds of the past. But can you honestly tell me that you are 100 per cent certain that the path were are on will never end up there?

Despite the current difficulties, Brexit and all, there appears to be no appetite for a return to violence. But as the power blocs retreat further and further into their entrenched positions, the lack of dialogue across the table creates a vacuum and disillusionment could be disastrous.

American Senator George Mitchell is a fair-minded, decent and respected man. He is not given to hyperbole, but he warns that “the real danger for a hard border is not the resurgence of violence…. Although that’s certainly a problem” And he also suggests that “No society is immune from the regressive forces that are part of every problem.”

Former Prime Minister John Major also says a physical border may re-open sectarian fears.

Any suggestion of a return to violence will be branded as scaremongering; and nobody is suggesting that anyway. I think Brexit brings focus to such issues, but the real problem is the internal relationships within Northern Ireland. But people need hope, and I don’t see any. No politics is bad politics.

The two main parties are built on opposing national identities. They seem more content on delivering an endgame victory for their tribe rather than making peace with erstwhile enemies and an accommodation in which both sides win the prize of a better society.

The power blocs are treating the electorate with disdain, safe in the knowledge that they won’t be punished at the ballot box. Mistrust still rules so people feel they have only two choices: vote to keep the other side out or don’t vote at all.

The recent talks between the DUP and Sinn Fein seemed to be heading to a conclusion of sorts, so much so that the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach arrived in Belfast. But someone spooked the horses, and what has followed has been utter farce. There was a draft deal, no there was no deal and all that mellarkey.

The valuable work of journalists Eamonn Mallie and Brian Rowan exposed the fact that when it comes to informing their support base, never mind the electorate, politicians are secretive to say the least. The DUP, in particular, seems to be a case of the tail wagging the dog, and a combination of their own hardliners, Orange Order leadership and even loyalism put the dampeners on a move forward.

Do these politicians take us for mugs? Apparently yes, because their support base will forgive them anything rather than vote on issues such as health, education and jobs.

As if we needed proof of the secretive disrespecting of the electorate at large, we then had the head of the Civil Service David Sterling admitting in public at the RHI inquiry that civil servants had lapsed in the recording of minutes of discussion.

Why? Because the main parties fear Freedom of Information requests and they didn’t want things to become public.

People in sports clubs, community groups and many other organisations consider it good practice to take minutes of their meetings to clarify matters; apparently, the much more serious matter of Government would prefer a smoke and mirrors approach to keep their deliberations away from the gaze of the very people they purport to serve.

In an open and honest society, political discussion should take place in plain sight.

Not here.

So, it’s often left to commentators and journalists to fill in the blanks. And then, of course, the politicians attack them for being irresponsible. You couldn’t make it up.

The main target for their ire is a certain Steven Nolan, accused of whipping up hysteria. I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t be a fan of his style of broadcasting; at least the guldering provocative Nolan as opposed to his other side when he can be more measured. I don’t quite understand why a public service broadcaster like the BBC has to chase ratings and pander to his ego, and I wonder about the value of constant contributors such as Jamie Bryson and David McNarry.

They’re entitled to be heard, but heard so much? I much prefer the insight of Sam McBride and Allison Morris etc.

All that said, it’s nonsense to suggest that Nolan is an irresponsible wrecker, when what he is doing is engaging people in a public discussion. A discussion from which the main parties are absenting themselves by either restricting appearances on his show, or boycotting him altogether.

So, our politicians deceive the public over the true nature of their discussions, they keep government discussions secret, they try to control and silence the media, who actually try to inform the public.

A phrase from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” comes to mind: “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”

And If we’re honest, politicians who think they can treat the electorate with contempt and play fast and loose with a hard-won peace and political process are not doing the electorate they serve any good in the long-term.

Without being overly-dramatic about the danger to peace, spare a thought for the thousands of dead and injured, their grieving families, and people living with the legacy of a tortured violent past.

Let’s not go back there, but forward into a future together.