Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Trimble urges ultimatum to IRA on terror

Ruth O'Reilly,Tim Moynihan
Sunday 14 October 2001 00:00 BST
Comments

The Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has demanded that the IRA be barred from the peace process if it carries out another murder.

His call came after yesterday's announcement by Dr John Reid, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, that he was derecognising the ceasefires of two loyalist paramilitary groups, the Ulster Defence Association and the Loyalist Volunteer Force.

Mr Trimble, who flew to Washington yesterday to discuss the latest crisis, said: "I would like to say to Dr Reid that next time the IRA murder someone, he will take exactly the same action. Dr Reid won't want to look as though he is being biased in his approach."

Mr Trimble reiterated that Unionist ministers would resign and withdraw from Northern Ireland's devolved power-sharing regime if there was no decommissioning of IRA arms this week.

There were claims that some loyalist paramilitaries could declare "open season" following the Government's derecognition of the UDA ceasefire. John White, chairman of the Ulster Democratic Party, which speaks for the UDA, said he feared the move might have removed any remaining restraint on members of the organisation who were intent on violence.

Two pipe bombs – a weapon associated with the UDA – were defused outside houses in Coleraine, Co Londonderry, early yesterday.

Members of the UDA and its sub-grouping, the Ulster Freedom Fighters, who had observed the truce were angered by the development, he said. Another loyalist grouping, the mid-Ulster-based Loyalist Volunteer Force, was also "specified" as being off ceasefire yesterday, amid indications that it was involved in the murder of the journalist Martin O'Hagan two weeks ago.

Dr Reid said yesterday that the UDA and LVF appeared determined to spurn the opportunity to make the transition from violence to democracy. He warned: "They may flaunt their contempt for the law. But there is a limit to society's tolerance and that limit has now been reached."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in