IRA statement believed to end war

THE IRA’s historic statement ending its armed campaign was yesterday widely hailed as a clear and unambiguous confirmation that its war is over.

The 531-word statement, made public shortly before 1pm, stated that all IRA units had been ordered to dump arms and instructed to embrace peaceful and democratic means.

The response to Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adam's request in April also gave an undertaking that the IRA would "not engage in any other activities whatsoever."