Somewhere, the Batman is having a chuckle at this.

I may be for legalization of drugs, but as comics have led me to ponder the relative ethics of going outside the legal system to dispense justice, I do have to appreciate this bit of vigilantism. An accused drug dealer in Northern Ireland was tarred and feathered then tied to a lamppost, where he was left to be exposed to public humiliation.

When a community loses hope that authorities will take action against criminal activity, they can let themselves remain victims, or take action. This example is a good middling ground as it doesn't escalate matters too far, and still allows the formal authorities to issue proper justice, if they are able to make a case.

I had no idea that tarring & feathering people was even still done in the 20th century, never mind the 21st.

Full story and complete photos at the Daily Mail.