Watchdog confirms IRA army council in ‘disuse’

THE IRA has effectively disbanded as a paramilitary force with the army council no longer functional, peace process watchdogs declared yesterday.

The International Monitoring Commission (IMC) report states that the provisionals’ campaign of violence is “well and truly over” and the organisation has relinquished “the leadership necessary to wage war”.

DUP first minister Peter Robinson had demanded the disbandment of the seven-member army council, even though he has accepted it no longer meets for paramilitary purposes.