THE Provisional IRA yesterday distanced itself from the hijacking of a vodka truck saying it had “no responsibility” for former members who had embraced criminal activity.

The Provisional IRA has accused the Irish and British governments of attempting to criminalise and demonise republicans while pandering to the demands of hardline unionists.

The Provisional IRA has issued a statement blaming the Democratic Unionist Party for the latest failure to reach a deal to restore power-sharing in the North.

Excerpts from IRA statement to Irish and British governments on April 13