SDLP says apology won't wash away the grief

Mark Durkan, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, said the IRA statement would not wash away the grief of victims or the guilt of those responsible.

‘‘If victims can judge that this is a statement from the IRA for victims they will welcome it. If they judge that it is a statement from the IRA for the IRA they will not take any comfort from it.

‘‘The IRA campaign did not just involve some mistakes. The whole campaign of violence was a mistake that showed blatant disregard for human life and disdain for the democratic and peaceful wishes of the Irish people,’’ he added.