President encourages further decommissioning

Mary McAleese has welcomed the statements by Loyalist paramilitary groups in the north confirming they have started to decommission their weapons.

The announcement came from the Ulster Volunteer Force, the Ulster Defence Association and the Red Hand Commando groups.

The decommissioning acts were overseen by the Independent Decommissioning body, which four years ago witnessed the destruction of the IRA's arsenal of guns, ammunition and explosives.

The UVF has destroyed its entire arsenal whilst the UDA has begun the process.

The President said today's developments signal a turning away from a culture of conflict in the north and she is encouraging those who have not yet decommissioned to do so.

The Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said Ireland is indebted to the Decommissioning Body for its work and he expects a formal report from them outlining the developments which have taken place.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin said today is a landmark in the progress towards conflict transformation and has urged other groups to follow suit.