This really does fall under the category of "got to be seen to be believed".
Under the rules of the Northern Ireland Assembly, there are never any by-elections: if someone dies or resigns, their party is simply able to appoint someone new in their place.
And with East Londonderry Sinn Fein MLA Francie Brolly about to retire, his replacement is a man whose background is about as incompatible with being a member of the political wing of the Provisional IRA as you can get.
As this report in the Belfast News Letter explains, Billy Leonard is a one-time Protestant-churchgoing RUC Reservist who was a member of the Orange Order.
And next month he'll be taking his place alongside Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness at Stormont. Quite a political journey...
