Northern Crisis: No State action on IRA legacy claims

The Government is unlikely to take any specific action to address revelations that the Provisional IRA still exists, despite two damning reports warning the paramilitary force continues in the North, has a criminality “legacy” in the south, and that its army council remains involved in Sinn Féin.

Senior Coalition figures said no “knee-jerk” reaction will take place, despite the publication of two detailed reports highlighting what Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said was the “shadow of a gunman” on either side of the border.

The reports, requested by the British and Irish governments in late summer following comments from Northern Ireland’s chief constable George Hamilton over the paramilitary group’s continuation, have made it clear that the provisional IRA still exists in the North and that former members in the Republic “make full use of their reputation” to enter criminality.