Across Ireland, Europe and beyond, the vast majority of citizens have recognised their responsibilities during the coronavirus crisis and responded in a hugely disciplined and impressive way.
People have stayed in their homes, maintained a high level of social distancing and made enormous sacrifices by avoiding contact with close relatives and friends even in the most difficult of circumstances.
It was entirely justifiable that public opinion on both sides of the Irish Sea was incensed when Dominic Cummings as one of the principal architects of the British government’s guidelines effectively decided that they somehow did not personally apply to him as well.
The decision by Boris Johnson to stand by his main advisor was nothing short of appalling and may well come to be regarded as definitive evidence that his credibility as British prime minister has evaporated.
It was inevitable that many individuals should ask why they must observe protocols which their key author felt he could ignore but there is still no excuse for those who engaged in reckless and aggressive conduct at any stage in the pandemic.
Police have confirmed that anti social behaviour was on display in many areas including some urban districts and a number of seaside resorts on both sides of the Irish border during a weekend of exceptionally warm weather
It is verging on the astonishing that a 200-strong mob could gather on a beach outside Bangor on Friday night and attack police when they were asked to disperse, with one woman officer kicked in the face during the disturbances.
Confrontations also took place at Botanic Gardens in south Belfast, with one young man needing hospital treatment after what was described as a mass brawl on the same evening.
As we reported on Saturday, the authorities are having to consider closing parks and other amenities in Belfast and other locations because of drug and alcohol abuse as well as general criminality.
It would be extremely regrettable if such steps had to be taken when there are firm signs that the tide is turning in the battle against COVID-19, and at least some sense of normality may return to our society within a matter of months, but lawlessness cannot be tolerated in public open spaces.
