Gerry Adams released

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27278039.

Gerry Adams has been released from custody following days of questioning over the 1972 murder of Jean McConville in Northern Ireland. A file is being prepared to decide whether charges will be brought later.  Mr Adams has always denied involvement in the murder.

One thing is certain: if Gerry Adams is summoned, justice may be served, but the Northern Ireland peace process will be irreparably damaged . In some ways,  a greater peace would be served if he was not prosecuted, even if the PPS believe he was involved. Sinn Féin are "engaged" in the peace process and alienating them would not be in the long-term interests of the province.  The next six months will be critical for the peace process. I am glad this decision is not mine to make.

In an ideal world the evil past would be history. One good thing would be for both side to say where "The Disappeared" are buried i.e. those killed by the IRA and protestants but whose place of burial has never been known. For the families this has been a nightmare. I am a believer in a amnesty for past political crimes and realise some who committed real atrocities would be free men.   Evil was done on both sides of the divide in the last 50 years.  Surely better to bury the hatchet of  history and to work constructively for a really long, peaceful future. One of the enduring images in recent years in Northern Ireland is of Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley - once sworn enemies - enjoying a laugh together (the so-called "chuckle brothers").  If they can make peace there is real hope.

Sadly, this is Northern Ireland and nothing follows sensible paths. We must now wait and hope.