The IRA is still recruiting, training and gathering intelligence, the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) has claimed in its fifth report released today.

The body, which monitors the ceasefires of Northern Ireland's paramilitary groups, claimed the republican organisation “continues to seek to maintain its medium term effectiveness”.

“It recruits and trains new members, including in the use of firearms and explosives. It continues to gather intelligence,” the IMC said.

The Commission also said the organisation had continued to demonstrate its continuing efforts to maintain its preparedness with recent ammunition acquisitions.

“At the end of September 2004 the police discovered 10,000 rounds of PIRA ammunition suitable for use in assault rifles, of a type not previously found in Northern Ireland and manufactured since the Belfast Agreement.

“This may have been only part of a larger consignment and it demonstrates PIRA’s continuing efforts to maintain its preparedness. We conclude therefore that PIRA remains a highly active organisation,” the group said.

Commenting on the other main paramilitary groups, the IMC said they were all involved in some way in criminal or terrorist activity.

• The Continuity IRA has continued to be sporadically active.
• Members of INLA remain very actively involved in organised crime, including drugs.
• The LVF remains deeply involved in drug dealing, and in some areas it has recruited people solely for that purpose.
• The Real IRA has continued to be the most active of the dissident republican groups and has been responsible both for brutal attacks and for robbery.
• The UDA remains involved in organised crime, and members were responsible for two robberies in February and March 2005.
• The UVF remains an active and violent organisation and continues to be involved in organised crime.

Commenting on today’s report, Secretary of State Peter Hain said the information indicates that “paramilitary groups continue to be active in violent and other crime and none have materially wound down their capability to commit violent or other crime”.

Mr Hain, along with Security Minister Shaun Woodward, met with the IMC's four commissioners on Monday.

(MB/SP)