IRA must disband, say Ahern and Blair

THE IRA must disband to save the peace process, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair said last night.

Both leaders warned that the troubled process could not survive unless the Provisionals removed the threat of violence for ever.

Speaking in Belfast, Mr Blair said: “We cannot carry on with the IRA half-in, half-out of this process. Not just because it isn’t right any more. It won’t work any more. Remove the threat of violence and the peace process is on an unstoppable path.”