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12/09/2002
IRA opposition to ceasefire monitor slammed
In a statement to a republican magazine, an IRA spokeman has rejected calls for an independent monitor to assess the status of paramilitary ceasefires in Northern Ireland.
In the An Phoblacht interview, the IRA said it remained committed to the peace process but accused "British intelligence agencies" of "indulging in disinformation" to discredit the republicans' role in finding a lasting settlement.
Sinn Fein's North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said republicans were not opposed to the idea of independent monitors to observe events in sectarian flashpoint areas of Belfast, but were opposed to a ceasefire monitor.
Responding to the IRA statement, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble, who is advocating the monitor, said anyone "unionist or nationalist, reading the full text of the interview could not be other than taken aback at the disingenuousness and maliciousness of the IRA spokesman".
He added: "It comes as no surprise that the IRA accepts no responsibility for any of the problems in the political process."
The SDLP was also critical of the IRA statement, and North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness said the IRA's reaction was unnecessarily premature since the idea had not even been fully or definitively fleshed out.
"We would be anxious to find out more details about the idea and its operation before coming to any conclusions," he said.
Alliance Leader David Ford also accused the IRA of trying to mislead the public over proposals for an independent ceasefire monitor.
Mr Ford said: "The republican movement is deliberately attempting to muddy the waters by trying to present a ceasefire monitor as an anti-Agreement proposal.
"If the IRA has no intention of breaking its ceasefire and has nothing to hide, then they have nothing to fear."
Mr Trimble was due to discuss the issue in a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair in London on Thursday. (MB)
In the An Phoblacht interview, the IRA said it remained committed to the peace process but accused "British intelligence agencies" of "indulging in disinformation" to discredit the republicans' role in finding a lasting settlement.
Sinn Fein's North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said republicans were not opposed to the idea of independent monitors to observe events in sectarian flashpoint areas of Belfast, but were opposed to a ceasefire monitor.
Responding to the IRA statement, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble, who is advocating the monitor, said anyone "unionist or nationalist, reading the full text of the interview could not be other than taken aback at the disingenuousness and maliciousness of the IRA spokesman".
He added: "It comes as no surprise that the IRA accepts no responsibility for any of the problems in the political process."
The SDLP was also critical of the IRA statement, and North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness said the IRA's reaction was unnecessarily premature since the idea had not even been fully or definitively fleshed out.
"We would be anxious to find out more details about the idea and its operation before coming to any conclusions," he said.
Alliance Leader David Ford also accused the IRA of trying to mislead the public over proposals for an independent ceasefire monitor.
Mr Ford said: "The republican movement is deliberately attempting to muddy the waters by trying to present a ceasefire monitor as an anti-Agreement proposal.
"If the IRA has no intention of breaking its ceasefire and has nothing to hide, then they have nothing to fear."
Mr Trimble was due to discuss the issue in a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair in London on Thursday. (MB)
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13 September 2002
Independent ceasefire monitor speculation grows
Speculation is mounting that the government is to set up an independent monitor on paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland. The move was further strengthened after Ulster Unionist leader's meeting with the Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday, in which Mr Trimble confirmed that a proposal for the monitor was brought up with the PM.
Independent ceasefire monitor speculation grows
Speculation is mounting that the government is to set up an independent monitor on paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland. The move was further strengthened after Ulster Unionist leader's meeting with the Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday, in which Mr Trimble confirmed that a proposal for the monitor was brought up with the PM.
19 September 2002
Reid announces independent violence monitor
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland John Reid has set in train arrangements for what the NIO describes as an "independent monitoring of the level of violence in Northern Ireland and the nature of paramilitary involvement in it".
Reid announces independent violence monitor
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland John Reid has set in train arrangements for what the NIO describes as an "independent monitoring of the level of violence in Northern Ireland and the nature of paramilitary involvement in it".
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.
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”.
12 January 2007
NI Road Safety Monitor 2006 published
The Northern Ireland Road Safety Monitor 2006 has been published. The results outline the behaviour, attitudes and awareness of the general public to road safety issues throughout the province.
NI Road Safety Monitor 2006 published
The Northern Ireland Road Safety Monitor 2006 has been published. The results outline the behaviour, attitudes and awareness of the general public to road safety issues throughout the province.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
