Profoundly important apology paves way for new phase in peace process

The nature of the apology, argues Fergus Finlay, signals that the IRA is preparing to take the next step.

NEARLY eight years ago, the Combined Loyalist Military Command issued its now famous ceasefire statement. It was read to a packed press conference by Gusty Spence, the first loyalist imprisoned for a crime during the Northern conflict, and by then the father of the peace process on the loyalist side.

His voice broke as he read these words: "In all sincerity, we offer to the loved ones of all innocent victims over the past 25 years abject and true remorse. No words of ours will compensate for the intolerable suffering they have undergone during the conflict."