Menu
25/10/2002
McLaughlin says IRA may 'eventually' be removed from equation
The continuation of the peace process and the return of the devolved assembly may mean that the IRA would eventually be "removed from the equation" according to Sinn Féin Chairman Mitchel McLaughlin.
However, the Foyle assembly member said the break up of the IRA would result as the conclusion to the peace process, not as a precondition for its continuance.
He added: "The IRA have made a very significant contribution to the peace process along the way. It is my view that a legitimate objective of the peace process is the elimination, the disappearance, and the removal of all paramilitary activity.
"There is a logic emerging that we will see the IRA being removed from the equation.
"The difficulty is that people will seize on that as an outcome of the peace process and say we want to advance it before we go any further into the process. I think that is a mistake."
Mr McLaughlin's statement comes a week after veteran republican, Martin Meehan, said that the IRA war had been "over for some time".
However, leading Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey criticised the Sinn Fein chairman's comments as a "back-to-front analysis" on the way forward for Northern Ireland.
Mr McGimpsey said: "This shows us how far removed Sinn Fein really are from the original Belfast Agreement. To suggest that somehow the IRA could 'eventually' be removed, is typical of the sluggish, begrudging and ambiguous approach to peacemaking demonstrated by the Provisional terrorist movement.
"It is fatuous of Mitchel McLaughlin to now suggest that maybe, perhaps, possibly, even 'eventually' the IRA will now get down to the business of disappearing for good. This is a back-to-front analysis. The IRA, along with their fellow terrorists in the loyalist community should have disappeared a long time ago."
Elsewhere, SDLP assembly member Eugene McMenamin has called on the new Northern Ireland Secretary to challenge the INLA over its ceasefire following the brutal paramilitary-style on the relative of a Sinn Fein activist in Strabane last week.
Mr McMenamin said: "The new secretary of state needs to take urgent action against these barbaric acts and order the disbandment of paramilitary organisations such as the INLA. This type of activity should be condemned by all right-thinking people.
"Since the suspension of devolution, we have been seeing signs that the paramilitaries are only too willing to fill the political vacuum with violence and fear. The sooner we get the Agreement back on track the better."
(GMcG)
However, the Foyle assembly member said the break up of the IRA would result as the conclusion to the peace process, not as a precondition for its continuance.
He added: "The IRA have made a very significant contribution to the peace process along the way. It is my view that a legitimate objective of the peace process is the elimination, the disappearance, and the removal of all paramilitary activity.
"There is a logic emerging that we will see the IRA being removed from the equation.
"The difficulty is that people will seize on that as an outcome of the peace process and say we want to advance it before we go any further into the process. I think that is a mistake."
Mr McLaughlin's statement comes a week after veteran republican, Martin Meehan, said that the IRA war had been "over for some time".
However, leading Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey criticised the Sinn Fein chairman's comments as a "back-to-front analysis" on the way forward for Northern Ireland.
Mr McGimpsey said: "This shows us how far removed Sinn Fein really are from the original Belfast Agreement. To suggest that somehow the IRA could 'eventually' be removed, is typical of the sluggish, begrudging and ambiguous approach to peacemaking demonstrated by the Provisional terrorist movement.
"It is fatuous of Mitchel McLaughlin to now suggest that maybe, perhaps, possibly, even 'eventually' the IRA will now get down to the business of disappearing for good. This is a back-to-front analysis. The IRA, along with their fellow terrorists in the loyalist community should have disappeared a long time ago."
Elsewhere, SDLP assembly member Eugene McMenamin has called on the new Northern Ireland Secretary to challenge the INLA over its ceasefire following the brutal paramilitary-style on the relative of a Sinn Fein activist in Strabane last week.
Mr McMenamin said: "The new secretary of state needs to take urgent action against these barbaric acts and order the disbandment of paramilitary organisations such as the INLA. This type of activity should be condemned by all right-thinking people.
"Since the suspension of devolution, we have been seeing signs that the paramilitaries are only too willing to fill the political vacuum with violence and fear. The sooner we get the Agreement back on track the better."
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 June 2018
Call For Banners Depicting IRA Atrocities To Be Removed Immediately
The Chief Executive of Radius Housing has called for banners depicting IRA atrocities to be "removed immediately" at a shared housing estate in south Belfast. UVF flags were put up at the housing development in Cantrell Close last summer and a number of Catholic families moved out.
Call For Banners Depicting IRA Atrocities To Be Removed Immediately
The Chief Executive of Radius Housing has called for banners depicting IRA atrocities to be "removed immediately" at a shared housing estate in south Belfast. UVF flags were put up at the housing development in Cantrell Close last summer and a number of Catholic families moved out.
30 April 2003
Adams declares IRA will not 'undermine' peace process
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has today moved to clarify the IRA's intentions, saying that the paramilitary group would not engage in any activities that will "undermine the peace process". His statement was in response to questions posed by Prime Minister Tony Blair last Wednesday demanding clarification on the IRA's position.
Adams declares IRA will not 'undermine' peace process
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has today moved to clarify the IRA's intentions, saying that the paramilitary group would not engage in any activities that will "undermine the peace process". His statement was in response to questions posed by Prime Minister Tony Blair last Wednesday demanding clarification on the IRA's position.
14 April 2003
Peace process hinges on IRA response
The British and Irish Governments have asked for the IRA to clarify a number of questions from its latest statement towards the peace process.
Peace process hinges on IRA response
The British and Irish Governments have asked for the IRA to clarify a number of questions from its latest statement towards the peace process.
09 January 2003
Peace process is 'under threat' according to IRA
In a tersely worded statement, the IRA has warned that the peace process is "under threat" in their traditional New Year message.
Peace process is 'under threat' according to IRA
In a tersely worded statement, the IRA has warned that the peace process is "under threat" in their traditional New Year message.
08 November 2002
Blair urges IRA to save peace process
The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has issued a fresh call for IRA to take a big step forward in order to save the Northern Ireland peace process.
Blair urges IRA to save peace process
The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has issued a fresh call for IRA to take a big step forward in order to save the Northern Ireland peace process.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
