McGuinness leaves for US amid IRA statement speculation

As speculation mounted that the IRA could disband as a paramilitary organisation, Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness left for America this afternoon for a meeting with US special envoy to the North, Mitchel Reiss.

Pressure has been growing on the Provisionals since Gerry Adams called for them to embrace purely democratic politics.

Martin McGuinness refused to be drawn on what would happen next as he boarded a plane at Dublin airport.

Mr McGuinness said: "Gerry Adams and I have resisted getting into speculation about any of these matters.

"We should all be patient - the IRA have clearly indicated that they are involved in work, and we need to give them space to complete that work."