INLA Disarms

A top republican politician has welcomed news of the disarmament of a violent republican group.

The Irish National Liberation Army (Arm Saoirse Náisiúnta na hÉireann) or INLA was formed in December 1974.

A spokesman for the republican terror group, Martin McMonagle, made the announcement of arms being disposed off at a press conference in Belfast on Monday morning.

He said: "We can also confirm that the INLA has disarmed through a joint facilitation group consisting of local, a national and an international organisation.

"We believe conditions have now changed in such a way that other options are open to revolutionaries to pursue and ultimately achieve our objectives."

"This was done in a process in accordance with international standards," he said.

The Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly - a lifelong republican - welcomed the reports that the INLA has put its weapons beyond use.

Stormont Junior Minister Kelly said: "I welcome the news that the INLA has put its weapons beyond use.

"The peace process has ensured that a peaceful and democratic path to a united Ireland exists. There is no support for or appetite for armed actions within the republican community.

"The INLA has recognised this by engaging with the IICD in this action. Other small militarist factions, both republican and loyalist, who are opposed to the peace process need now also to reflect on their position given the political realities of 2010 and end their futile armed actions."

The SDLP Justice Spokesperson Alban Maginness has also welcomed the news, he said: "The INLA was one of the most vicious and brutal groups involved in the long conflict and raised that conflict to what were then new levels of savagery by incidents such as the Dropping Well bombing and the Darkley church hall massacre.

"There are also very practical reasons why it would be good news. Besides the danger that this organization could itself become involved in armed actions again, there was a very substantial danger that its arsenal could have fallen into the hands of dissident groups which are actively engaged in murderous campaigns," he said, this afternoon.

"All of the organisations which put forward political agendas, no matter how sketchy and spurious, have now joined in the disarmament process.

"That leaves a handful of bodies which are incapable of articulating any kind of recognisable political objectives and are in fact engaging in violence for its own sake. When they themselves have removed the political label, what is left is straightforward criminal activity and that is the basis on which our community will deal with them."

Meanwhile, the Real UFF – C 'Company' has made a threat that Mr Kelly "will be executed within 24 hours" and there has also been a death threat on Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams.

(BMcC/GK)