That seems apposite in Ireland, 40 years later. 

In recent days, we have seen the far right in this country become more and more threatening as they reveal themselves for what they are: Thugs intent on overturning the rule of law for their own ends.

Despite trying to cloak their intentions with a pretence of concern for communities, combined with a perversion of patriotism, the evidence of recent days gives us a far better indication of their true nature.

Many readers will now be familiar with a widely circulated clip which appears to show a man working in Aughrim, Co Wicklow, being confronted by a mob and agreeing to stop work. 

In the clip, the man is applauded by those filming as though he has seen the light and is in agreement with them, but it is damning evidence of the reality of the encounter.

It is clear from the video that the man is facing a sizeable group of people who cannot be seen on camera. 

Readers may want to consider how they would react if confronted by a mob at their place of work, a crowd bent on intimidating people into leaving that workplace. 

That is exactly what the far right — and those who turn a blind eye to their actions — means in Ireland: Nothing more than threats of violence.

This was not the only evidence of escalation to be found in recent days. 

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy shared a photograph of graffiti near his home which reads ‘Paul Murphy RIP’.

In the past, Mr Murphy’s family home has also been targeted by protesters.

Mr Murphy himself has stressed that he will not be intimidated by such tactics, but he shouldn’t be subjected to this in the first place; threats have no place in any democracy.

A video clip shared widely online shows former taoiseach Leo Varadkar being abused as he has coffee outside a Dublin cafe. 

Passengers in a car can be heard on the clip shouting homophobic abuse at the Dublin West TD.

These events are linked. The connecting threads include an emboldened criminal element looking to sow discord; a coarsening of the rules of engagement generally, and with politicians in particular; and, unfortunately, an increasing likelihood of serious violence.

The courts are already dealing with cases of politicians being physically targeted in public. 

In a court case last week, an individual was accused of intimidating Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae last September in what was described as an “aggressive” demonstration outside Leinster House.

Other elements combine and contribute to an increasingly hostile atmosphere.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin pointed out on Tuesday that inaction from social media companies is fuelling division, while the passivity of An Garda Síochána in countering the far right has given these people a sense of impunity when it comes to their public demonstrations. 

The traditional advice with such hateful video clips is to ignore them rather than offer the fuel of publicity, but here thereverse may be the best  approach. 

The only sliver of consolation in the circulation of the footage we have seen recently is that it brings home the truth — that these are thugs who are trying to intimidate people all over Ireland.

The State must respond to protect its citizens before this situation deteriorates further and we are left to deal with even more serious consequences. 

No one wishes to play the role of Cuomo in Ireland, following up some tragic incident by saying this is what you were warned it would be.

Covid inquiry in North: Ireland must follow suit in pandemic probe

Tuesday saw the start of the British covid inquiry in Belfast. 

It is expected to hear several weeks of testimony from witnesses regarding the handling of the pandemic and the various measures taken during lockdown. 

It got off to an emotional start.

Families of those who lost their lives in the pandemic spoke about those loved ones, detailing their grief at their passing. 

They also outlined measures they wanted to see taken in the case of another pandemic: Legislation to ensure people are never restricted from visiting dying loved ones was one of those measures.

Those due to testify at the inquiry include representatives of those bereaved families as well as healthcare professionals, senior civil servants, and Stormont politicians such as former first minister Arlene Foster and the incumbent, Michelle O’Neill, who was deputy first minister during the pandemic.

There is likely to be some controversy during the inquiry. At a preliminary hearing in December, it emerged that WhatsApp messages sent by former Stormont ministers during the pandemic have been lost as a result of government-issued electronic devices being wiped. 

The wiped devices included those of Ms Foster and Ms O’Neill.

Notwithstanding that missing information, inquiry secretary Ben Connah is confident there will be enough evidence for the inquiry to do its work.

The inquiry has already held hearings in England, Scotland, and Wales, and Mr Connah encouraged people in the North who would not be attending the hearings themselves to use the inquiry’s Every Story Matters online platform to share their stories.

It goes without saying that a similar inquiry is badly needed here as well. 

The example being given in Belfast over the coming weeks is one worth considering south of the border.