Adams accuses dissidents of hijacking republican movement

Differing messages have been delivered at Easter commemorations around the North today.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has accused dissidents of trying to hijack the republican project.

Adams told the main republican commemoration in Belfast that democratic ways had now been constructed to work for a united Ireland.

In stark contrast, a statement issued by the 32 County Sovereignty Group, regarded as linked to the Real IRA, accused Sinn Féin of supporting British rule in Ireland.

Sinn Féin has condemned an arson attack on its offices in Derry saying all those responsible had destroyed were portraits of the Hunger strikers.

The SDLP assembly member for Newry and Armagh, Dominic Bradley, meanwhile said the use of violence for political ends was always wrong and all the strategy and support in the world could not make it right.