03/02/2005
Unionists react with contempt over IRA statement
Unionists have reacted with contempt to the news that the IRA has withdrawn its offer to decommission.
Speaking on Thursday, DUP leader Ian Paisley said the IRA’s “words of excuse” would fool no one.
“Not for the first time the IRA has withdrawn its co-operation on decommissioning,” the North Antrim MP said. “This will be another attempt to bargain with the Government in order to take the pressure of them. The Northern Bank heist confirmed that the IRA never put an offer on the table that they intended to keep.
“The IRA had never any intention of decommissioning in a credible, transparent and verifiable way. They never had any intention of giving up their criminal empire. That is why they walked away from the table last year.”
Senior Ulster Unionist MLA Michael McGimpsey said that after years of “prevarication, of stalling and of reneging on commitments, after plunging the political process into crisis after crisis”, it was “more than rich for the IRA to bleat about unfair treatment”.
“Clearly £26.5 million has made Republicans delirious and delusional,” he said.
”It is now eight years since Republicans agreed to commit to exclusively peaceful and democratic means. The people of Northern Ireland are still waiting for them to do so. The IRA are attempting to throw down the gauntlet to both governments with this statement. It is a crude, thinly veiled threat.”
Mr McGimpsey said it was now up to “those who support the democratic process”, as well a the British and Irish Governments to stand shoulder to shoulder and “face this threat down”.
“Republicans feel they are above the law. The Government must make it clear that they are not,” he concluded.
(MB)
Speaking on Thursday, DUP leader Ian Paisley said the IRA’s “words of excuse” would fool no one.
“Not for the first time the IRA has withdrawn its co-operation on decommissioning,” the North Antrim MP said. “This will be another attempt to bargain with the Government in order to take the pressure of them. The Northern Bank heist confirmed that the IRA never put an offer on the table that they intended to keep.
“The IRA had never any intention of decommissioning in a credible, transparent and verifiable way. They never had any intention of giving up their criminal empire. That is why they walked away from the table last year.”
Senior Ulster Unionist MLA Michael McGimpsey said that after years of “prevarication, of stalling and of reneging on commitments, after plunging the political process into crisis after crisis”, it was “more than rich for the IRA to bleat about unfair treatment”.
“Clearly £26.5 million has made Republicans delirious and delusional,” he said.
”It is now eight years since Republicans agreed to commit to exclusively peaceful and democratic means. The people of Northern Ireland are still waiting for them to do so. The IRA are attempting to throw down the gauntlet to both governments with this statement. It is a crude, thinly veiled threat.”
Mr McGimpsey said it was now up to “those who support the democratic process”, as well a the British and Irish Governments to stand shoulder to shoulder and “face this threat down”.
“Republicans feel they are above the law. The Government must make it clear that they are not,” he concluded.
(MB)
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Dissident Detained Leaving English Jail
An alleged police informer jailed for handling republican terrorist explosives has been arrested while leaving an English prison. Dissident Paddy Murray is being detained by PSNI detectives, with the support of English forces. The 47-year-old former IRA prisoner was handed a 25-year sentence in 1994 for possession of explosives.
04 September 2009
'Victims' Wing It To Scotland
The contentious issue of dealing with the NI Troubles' legacy is to be discussed - across the Irish Sea. A Scottish hotel has been chosen for a meeting of almost 30 victims and relatives of those hurt in the Troubles to discuss the needs of those affected during decades of violence.
'Victims' Wing It To Scotland
The contentious issue of dealing with the NI Troubles' legacy is to be discussed - across the Irish Sea. A Scottish hotel has been chosen for a meeting of almost 30 victims and relatives of those hurt in the Troubles to discuss the needs of those affected during decades of violence.
28 July 2008
Republican Threat Level 'Higher Than Any Other'
The threat to the UK from 'dissident' Irish republicans is greater than from any other terrorist group. According to the latest intelligence service surveillance from MI5, organisations such as the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA currently pose a greater danger than even Islamic extremists.
Republican Threat Level 'Higher Than Any Other'
The threat to the UK from 'dissident' Irish republicans is greater than from any other terrorist group. According to the latest intelligence service surveillance from MI5, organisations such as the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA currently pose a greater danger than even Islamic extremists.
18 April 2003
Adams claims IRA response is ‘unparalleled’
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has told a meeting of party members that the IRA statement issued to the British and Irish governments contained elements that were “unparalleled” in republican history. Mr Adams attending a meeting held in a Newry hotel maintained that the IRA statement was both “clear and unambiguous”.
Adams claims IRA response is ‘unparalleled’
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has told a meeting of party members that the IRA statement issued to the British and Irish governments contained elements that were “unparalleled” in republican history. Mr Adams attending a meeting held in a Newry hotel maintained that the IRA statement was both “clear and unambiguous”.
28 July 2005
IRA statement in full...
Unusually the following IRA statement was read out by by a former IRA prisoner, and apparently was not signed "P. O'Neill"... "The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign. This will take effect from 4pm [16.00 BST] this afternoon. All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms.
IRA statement in full...
Unusually the following IRA statement was read out by by a former IRA prisoner, and apparently was not signed "P. O'Neill"... "The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign. This will take effect from 4pm [16.00 BST] this afternoon. All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
