Trimble says IRA 'revelations' undermining Executive

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has said recent revelations about alleged IRA activities have undermined confidence in the North’s power-sharing Executive.

Mr Trimble was speaking after meeting Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams for talks about allegations that the IRA was involved in a break-in at Castlereagh barracks in Belfast during which files were stolen from the Special Branch office.

The two men also discussed the arrest of three Irishmen in Colombia last year on suspicion of training the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Meanwhile, Mr Trimble’s hardline colleague, the anti-agreement MP Jeffrey Donaldson, has said the only way Sinn Fein can prove its commitment to democracy is by disbanding the IRA.

The UUP has asked the British government to review the IRA’s ceasefire and Mr Donaldson said his party will take action if the British authorities don’t.

“They have it in their hands to do so,” he said, “but if they don’t, then we will act.

"Clearly, in my opinion, Sinn Fein’s position, having two ministers in the Government of Northern Ireland and the IRA continuing to engage in acts of terrorism are incompatible and, therefore, Sinn Fein’s position as ministers is untenable.”