PDs condemn IRA u-turn on weapons decommissioning

The Progressive Democrats have condemned the IRA for withdrawing its offer to decommission all its weapons.

In a statement last night, the IRA said the move was prompted by growing Irish-British antagonism towards the republican movement.

The Irish and British governments have been adamant that the IRA was behind the recent £26.5m (€28m) bank robbery in Belfast, but the organisation has been equally adamant that it was not involved.

PD chairman Tom Morrissey said today that the IRA's u-turn on decommissioning was unsurprising given the IRA's previous refusal to give an undertaking not to "endanger anyone's personal rights and safety".