Deadly UDA Disarms

One of Northern Ireland's bloodiest terror groups has put its arms beyond use, its leadership confirmed today.

The loyalist Ulster Defence Association (UDA) released a full statement on its programme of decommissioning this morning.

The move followed weeks of behind the scenes negotiations between 'brigades' and representatives of the Independent Monitoring Commission.

UDA members were given the deadline of 9 February to dispose of all their weapons, or face sanctions.

NIO Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said after this date any guns recovered by police would be used as forensic evidence in criminal trials.

During its 1969 to 2001 terror campaign, the UDA is alleged to have murdered 400 people and maimed many more.

The group also used the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) cover name.

Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG) spokesman Frankie Gallagher read a statement on behalf of the UDA leadership.

He said: "Today the leadership of the Ulster Defence Association can confirm that all weaponry under its control has been put verifiably beyond use."

This was backed up by evidence from Independent Monitoring Commission head General John de Chastelain, who described the act as "a major act of decommissioning".

General de Chastelain said the haul, overseen by Lord Eames and Sir George Quigley, included arms, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices

Last year, the deadly Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), one of Northern Ireland's longest standing paramilitary groups, confirmed it had put all weapons under its control beyond use.

The UDA announced its initial ceasefire more than 15 years ago, three years before the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning was established.

South east Antrim UDA members disarmed some weaponry last summer, a 'brigade' widely believed to be a breakaway faction of the main group. It has pledged to fulfill the February deadline.

Research by the Independent Monitoring Commission, published last November, suggested both wings are still heavily involved in criminality throughout the province.

Mr Gallagher today denied any suggestion that a decommissioning agreement was reached on the back of increased community funding for loyalist areas.

Victims' campaigners Relatives for Justice said disarmament was irrelevant, and instead called for more disclosure regarding security force collusion in some murders committed by the group.

(PR/BMcC)