The murderous dissident republican gun attack in north Belfast which left a police officer wounded provided a sharp reminder of what is on offer from those opposed to a political settlement in Northern Ireland.
The officer was hit three times after a gunman armed with a high velocity rifle fired up to ten rounds at a petrol station on the Crumlin Road on Sunday night.
It would be difficult to find a more reckless and indiscriminate attack. These deadly shots were fired across a busy main road towards a garage forecourt where local people were filling up their cars and buying food from the attached convenience store.
There could easily have been multiple injuries and fatalities at this scene.
As it was, one officer suffered significant injuries to his arm which required surgery and will need further treatment.
It seems body armour may have saved his life on this occasion and we must be thankful that he survived this terrifying attack.
However, it is absolutely despicable that police officers out performing their duties on behalf of the public - a difficult enough job at the best of times - should also have to guard against armed assassins trying to ambush them on city streets.
This part of north Belfast has witnessed appalling violence over the years. It is only recently that the Twaddell protest has ended but until then police patrols were targeted by dissidents who also continue to pose a threat to civilians in Ardoyne and elsewhere.
The fact that those involved in these evil activities have access to such deadly firepower is clearly a matter of serious concern and we must hope the PSNI makes swift progress in apprehending all those involved in Sunday's murder bid.
Those who support these violent groups must also reflect on what these gangsters stand for. It is certainly not the betterment of ordinary people trying to ensure their families have a decent life.
As we know, this latest attack comes against a backdrop of political uncertainty, with an election looming and no clear sense of when the institutions will be restored.
For Sinn Féin it was another momentous day as Michelle O'Neill took over from Martin McGuinness as northern leader.
As an experienced minister she will not underestimate the challenges ahead but will know that political stability is crucial if we are to keep building a strong and lasting peace.
The attempt to kill a police officer in north Belfast should make all our politicians redouble their efforts to make sure democracy always wins out over physical force.
