IRA remain active, says PSNI chief

THE IRA is continuing to recruit and target, even if it is not going back to an armed struggle, Northern Ireland's most senior policeman claimed yesterday.

Chief Constable Hugh Orde confirmed Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's assessment last week that the Provisionals are remaining active while an internal debate takes place on whether they should abandon violence purely for politics.

As he attended the first presentation ceremony in Belfast for officers in the Police Service of Northern Ireland's awards for outstanding service, Mr Orde said: "Currently, I am absolutely clear the Provisional IRA are not going back to an armed struggle.