P. J. McLoughlin is a Lecturer in Politics at Queen's University Belfast. He teaches the politics of Northern Ireland and other divided societies, and also the politics of UK devolution. His research specialism is the Northern Ireland problem and peace process, and his work has also explored international dimensions of the latter, particularly the EU and US contributions to peace-making in Northern Ireland.
The shooting of a police officer in Omagh on Thursday evening is another horrific reminder that Northern Ireland remains a deeply and dangerously divided society.