2026 will be remembered as somewhat of an ‘annus horribilis’ for loyalism. A tipping point reached in the collective tolerance of civic society across Northern Ireland.

Where once there existed a weary acceptance of the inevitable disruption caused in the run up to the Twelfth of July celebrations, there is now zero appetite for defending the indefensible.

As once again, scenes from Northern Ireland are beamed into households across the globe, we find ourselves battling to undo the negative press so synonymous with the place we call home.

Only days ago, unionist councillors, MLAs, MPs and Lords donned their collarettes, bowler hats, best Sunday suits and carefree smiles to march through the streets of our towns and cities.

Noel Doran: The Jeffrey Donaldson I saw in south Down

Linzi McLaren: Where is the leadership from political unionism?

So untroubled, one would be forgiven for thinking the death of a man at a bonfire site, the burning down of homes, the boarding up of libraries, the vile burning of racist effigies, and the clean-up operation to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds, hadn’t happened.

One thing, however, we can be absolutely certain did not happen, was an attempt by political unionism to show any form of responsible, mature, ethical leadership of the loyalist community.

Whilst we received the same old generic, cautionary statements of ‘stay safe’, ‘be responsible, ‘no place in Northern Ireland for racism or abuse’, yet........

© The Irish News