While I agree that by the mid-1990s a stalemate had been reached, I would not agree that Violence was achieving nothing. If we assume a state of NO violence, there would still be the violence of segregation and second class citizenship of the non-protestant population. The violence kept the issues of how the Catholic population was treated by Britain and the colonialism of the DUP as you point out the systemic discrimination.

Violence in England brought to the home population that there were issues in Northern Ireland which NEEDED to be addressed.

Otherwise, great article. Sad for your friend Sophie and for the ongoing suffering. It will not recede for some time I fear

Incidentally I had an aunt that smuggled guns for the PIRA in the 70s.