IRA to put arms beyond use 'at earliest opportunity'

The IRA has issued a statement announcing that it has authorised a further act of decommissioning.

The much-anticipated statement falls significantly short of what was expected and makes no mention of the IRA ending paramilitary activity or declaring an end to its armed struggle.

The statement said that a speech given by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams earlier today accurately reflected the IRA’s view of the peace process.

In the speech, Mr Adams reiterated that the republican movement was committed to the peace process and opposed the use or threat of force for political means.

Today’s IRA statement said the organisation was committed to resolving the issues of decommissioning "with a view to proceeding with the implementation of a process to put arms beyond use at the earliest opportunity".

The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning is due to issue a statement about the IRA’s gesture later today and Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble is subsequently expected to issue his response.

Unionists had expressed hope that the IRA would make major moves towards peace today, especially a declaration that its war was over, and it is unclear if the IRA statement will be enough to restore unionist confidence in the peace process.