IRA leadership orders end to 'armed struggle'

The IRA has confirmed that it is to end it's armed struggle, in a statement released on Thursday.

The leadership of the militant republican organisation said it had instructed all IRA units to dump arms and "assist the development of purely political and democratic programmes through exclusively peaceful means".

The order, which takes effect from 4pm on Thursday, follows "an unprecedented internal discussion and consultation process with IRA units and volunteers".

The IRA leadership's statement also confirmed that it would be engaging with the IICD [Independent International Commission on Decommissioning] to put all its arms beyond use "in a way which will further enhance public confidence and to conclude this as quickly as possible".

The statement said that not withstanding difficulties "caused by the two governments and unionists to fully engage the peace process in recent times", the group had taken today's decision "to advance our republican and democratic objectives, including our goal of a united Ireland".

"We believe there is now an alternative way to achieve this and to end British rule in our country. It is the responsibility of all Volunteers to show leadership, determination and courage," the statement said.

It went on to say there was now an "unprecedented opportunity to utilise the considerable energy and goodwill which there is for the peace process".

"This comprehensive series of unparalleled initiatives is our contribution to this and to the continued endeavours to bring about independence and unity for the people of Ireland," it concluded.

(MB/SP)