Don't underestimate peace crisis, govts warned

The Irish and British governments were warned tonight not to underestimate the current crisis in Northern Ireland’s peace process.

Just 24 hours after the IRA withdrew its last offer to put weapons beyond use, a senior republican source accused London and Dublin of downplaying the importance of the statement.

The source said: “The two governments are trying to play down the importance of our statement because they are making a mess of the peace process.

“Do not underestimate the seriousness of the situation.”

Police claims that the IRA carried out the £26.5m (€37.8m) Northern Bank robbery in Belfast in December have have effectively shattered any hopes that a deal to restore power-sharing can be restored in Northern Ireland.

The IRA has consistently denied the claims by Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Orde and Government ministers in London and Dublin who said it was responsible for the record bank heist.

And in a statement last night the organisation warned that it would resist any attempt to tar it with allegations of criminality.

The IRA hit out at the “unacceptable and unstable situation” that arose after the Northern Bank robbery.

It also warned: “It has tried our patience to the limit.”

The IRA statement, however, was dismissed by political opponents on both sides of the border.

Democratic Unionist Assembly member Ian Paisley jnr portrayed it as a temper tantrum akin to a baby throwing its toys out of a pram.

Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte also accused the Provisionals of belligerence.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern played down concerns about the statement while British Government sources also insisted that continued paramilitary and criminal activity by the IRA remained an obstacle to political progress.