The end of the IRA

[Ruairi]

"The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign.
This will take effect from 4pm this afternoon.
All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms. All Volunteers have been instructed to
assist the development of purely political and democratic programmes through exclusively
peaceful means. Volunteers must not engage in any other activities whatsoever.
The IRA leadership has also authorised our representative to engage with the IICD to
complete the process to verifiably put its arms beyond use in a way which will further
enhance public confidence and to conclude this as quickly as possible.
We have invited two independent witnesses, from the Protestant and Catholic churches, to
testify to this.
The Army Council took these decisions following an unprecedented internal discussion and
consultation process with IRA units and Volunteers.
We appreciate the honest and forthright way in which the consultation process was carried
out and the depth and content of the submissions. We are proud of the comradely
way in which this truly historic discussion was conducted. The outcome of our
consultations show very strong support among IRA Volunteers for the Sinn Féin
peace strategy. There is also widespread concern about the failure of the two governments
and the unionists to fully engage in the peace process. This has created real
difficulties. The overwhelming majority of people in Ireland fully support this process.
They and friends of Irish unity throughout the world want to see the full implementation
of the Good Friday Agreement.
Notwithstanding these difficulties our decisions have been taken 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. We are very mindful of the sacrifices of our patriot dead, those who went to
jail, Volunteers, their families and the wider republican base. We reiterate our view
that the armed struggle was entirely legitimate.
We are conscious that many people suffered in the conflict. There is a compelling
imperative on all sides to build a just and lasting peace.
The issue of the defence of nationalist and republican communities has been raised with
us. There is a responsibility on society to ensure that there is no re-occurrence
of the pogroms of 1969 and the early 1970s. There is also a universal responsibility to
tackle sectarianism in all its forms.
The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish unity and independence and to building
the Republic outlined in the 1916 Proclamation.
We call for maximum unity and effort by Irish republicans everywhere.
We are confident that by working together Irish republicans can achieve our objectives.
Every
Volunteer is aware of the import of the decisions we have taken and all Óglaigh are
compelled to fully comply
with these orders.
There is 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.
Irish Republican Army orders an end to armed campaign
The IRA is fully committed to the goals
of Irish unity and
independence and to
building the Republic
outlined in the 1916
Proclamation
Our decisions have
been taken 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
HISTORIC
STATEMENT
READ BY
SÉANNA WALSH
THE historic IRA statement was visually
recorded and read by Séanna Walsh at the
request of the leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann.
Séanna served over 21 years as a
Republican Prisoner of War in both the Cages
and the H-Blocks of Long Kesh. He was among
the first republicans ‘on the blanket’ after his
arrest in 1976, the year the British Labour
Government began its policy of attempting to
criminalise IRA prisoners. Séanna was a friend
and cellmate of Bobby Sands, the Officer
Commanding in the H-Blocks and the first of
the Hunger Strikers who died in 1981.
Since his release Séanna Breatnach has
played a key role working with Sinn Féin’s
negotiating team and advancing the republican
peace strategy."

[fosterdollar]

Good news

[Baker]

Good news

I second that

[patsh]

About bloody time!


But good news definitely.

[terry9]

summary

[Réiteoir]

summary

The IRA has ended its armed campaign and has ordered all its units to dump arms at 4pm this afternoon.

It has also ordered its members not to engage in any other activities of any kind.

The IRA statement came this afternoon in response to a call from the Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams, earlier this year for the IRA to embrace peace and democracy.

The statement says all volunteers have been instructed to engage in the democratic process through exclusively peaceful means.

The statement also says that the IRA leadership has also authorised a representative to engage with the IICD to complete decommissioning with clergy as witnesses.

[Éanna]

Thats the step they've needed to take for quite some time now- fair play

[Plastic Paddy]

And it gives them the moral high ground and a cool £26m retirement fund for their efforts. Not bad.

That said, I do appreciate the enormity and positive nature of the declaration. A brave move. Please God let it work.

PP

[Poor Student]

What about this problem over the DUP needing photographic evidence of decommissioning? Will they go ahead and do it without?

[harpskid]

What about this problem over the DUP needing photographic evidence of decommissioning? Will they go ahead and do it without?

"We have invited two independent witnesses, from the Protestant and Catholic churches, to testify to this."

[Ringo]

Is it me or is it a bit an anti climax.

[Réiteoir]

What about this problem over the DUP needing photographic evidence of decommissioning? Will they go ahead and do it without?

Right on cue:

Paisley demands photographic evidence

28 July 2005 13:39

The DUP leader, Ian Paisley, said the decommissioning of IRA weapons must be verifiable through photographic evidence and the presence of independent witnesses.

Mr Paisley was reacting to today's statement from the IRA in which it ordered an end to its armed campaign.

A spokesman for British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has welcomed the statement, calling it 'very positive'.

RTÉ News also understands Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is broadly happy with the statement.

The Sinn Féin leadership has said it will hold a news conference in Dublin at 4pm, with the party's president, Gerry Adams, accompanied by a number of the party's elected representatives.

[Partizan]

35 years too late.

The recognition by the PIRA of the futility of their 'military' campaign has vindicated the long held position of the Workers Party, to those of Cathal Goulding and to our party comrades who gave their lives for the ideals of Class politics & peace.

The PIRA must now live up to its promises and fully disarm and enter constitutional politics and channel their politicies through peaceful means.

If only they had the foresight in 1972, thousands of lives would have been saved.

[Poor Student]

He's as predictable as the setting sun.

The way I see it, he cannot stop the decommissioning, no? So they go ahead and do it how they like under the IIDC and he has to accept it one way or another?

I'd say this is frightening the DUP. They could always play the arms card to justify their utter intransigence.

Does anyone feel the impact of this has been lessened as it is taking place in the backdrop of some of the biggest terrorism seen in the UK for a long time? Some people will almost feel they're doing it as it would be awful PR at this time to continue to hold onto arms.

[rebs23]

Did they have any other choice given recent events involving their own members in Colombia, Belfast Bank robbery etc and the bombings in London, Madrid etc?
It's all a bit of an anti climax and it shows up the futility and sectarianism of their activities over the last 30 years. The way this has been built up over the last number of days with leaks to the media etc just shows the cynical media minupalting machine that SF/IRA are. How do we get max exposure and plaudits for doing what was only right and proper years ago?

[drinkfeckarse]

Right on cue:

Paisley demands photographic evidence

So members of the clergy from both religions are not good enough for him. Are they going to lie or something

Muppet of the highest order.

Why no pressure now on the Unionist paramilitaries to follow suit??? Always puzzles me why no one ever mentions that....

[paul_oshea]

drinkfeckarse, agreed with you on that, its never mentioned like, and thats the "other" side of the community.

[anto1208]

i think the ira should use this photograpic evedence he is looking for and make a big huge deal about it invite sky news rte every one to watch , keep saying things like there commited to peace etc etc really gain the moral high ground , every one will see them as the ones that started the road to peace not the unionists

[Gareth]

Do they still state they are the real government of ireland?

[liam88]

Brave great move which can only bring good!
Will the UDA/UVF/LVF follow?
IT's great that the Republican mvoement is now peaceful brilliant stuff over the moon