Adams to criticise unionists at Ard Comhairle

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams is expected to deliver a very critical speech at the party's Ard Chomhairle in Dublin this afternoon.

He is expected to tell delegates at the meeting however to stick by their principles and support the peace process.

He will tell his party delegates that unionists have not been selling the Good Friday Agreement to their own followers but that the IRA are now not viewed as a threat by the British government.

Mr Adams is expected to reject calls for the republican movement to disband however and also wants assembly elections in the north to be held on May 1.

This is despite the fact that there is a current suspension of the Stormont executive and its institutions.