Sinn Féin must cut criminal ties, warns Ahern

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has delivered what amounted to an ultimatum to Sinn Féin, telling them that there was no hope of any lasting settlement unless the party publicly committed itself to abjure criminality.

Referring to what was required of the Republican movement, Mr Ahern said: “The questions are very clear. They are very simple. If they (republicans) are prepared to engage and are prepared to move forward we can get on but we need that response back from them.”

Mr Ahern was speaking after his Downing Street meeting with Tony Blair yesterday afternoon, where both leaders reiterated that a return to power sharing would not happen unless the IRA severed its links to violence, robberies and thuggery.