McDowell still not convinced about IRA’s intentions

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has said he is awaiting a report from the Independent Monitoring Commission before making up his mind on the IRA's future intentions.

The republican paramilitary group promised earlier this year that it would only engage in purely peaceful activities and would destroy all of its arms.

On Monday, the decommissioning body confirmed that it had overseen the destruction of the IRA's known arsenal.

Mr McDowell said afterwards said that he would accept this had taken place until somebody proved otherwise.

However, speaking in Dublin today, he said he was awaiting a report from the IMC next month to see if the IRA had also ended its criminal and paramilitary activities.