Northern Crisis: ‘Past time’ to end threat

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has warned it is “no longer credible” for republican figures to claim the Provisional IRA does not exist, saying it is “long past time” the paramilitary group ceased to “carry any degree of threat” to communities.

Speaking during the latest Dáil leaders debate after two detailed reports into the ongoing activities of illegal organisations north and south of the border, the Fine Gael leader said the findings were of “very serious concern” and must be tackled.

Responding to revelations that the Provisional IRA still exists, albeit in what an independent report found was in a “much reduced form”, Mr Kenny said a decade on from decommissioning it was “long past time” the threat to the public ended.