Adams: Unionists using IRA arms as excuse

The issue of armed groups in Northern Ireland will only be addressed in the context of all peace process pledges being implemented, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams insisted tonight.

Just 24 hours after Democratic Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson told a republican audience his community needed a timetable for conclusive weapons decommissioning, Mr Adams claimed the issue of IRA arms was being used by unionists as a reason not to engage with his party.