Contested pathways to security normalisation in Northern Ireland

Abstract

This article examines the progress made in Northern Ireland towards normalisation of the security arrangements as required under the Good Friday Agreement 1998 in relation to two major areas of continuing deviation: non-jury trials and stop and search powers. The first section examines what ‘normalisation’ means. The article details the challenges these measures present to constitutional norms; their justifications, historically and contemporarily; and the reasons for their persistence. It then explores the options towards normalisation, concluding that it is attainable in relation to non-jury trials and stop and search powers and that these measures should be abolished.