Defiant IRA withdraws offer to scrap all weapons

THE IRA last night dramatically withdrew its commitments to decommission its weapons in an act of defiance that will have serious implications for the future of the peace process.

In a hard-hitting statement, signed P O’Neill, the Provisionals rejected the assertion of the two governments that the IRA was involved in continuing paramilitary and criminal activity. The statement went on to unequivocally say that its offer to destroy all its weapons was off the table.

In a clear reference to the continuing fallout from the Northern Bank robbery and punishment shootings, the IRA said the claims pointing the finger at the Provisional movement had “tried our patience to the limits”.