Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has appealed to dissident republicans responsible for the murder of PSNI constable Ronan Kerr to cease their activities.
In his latest blog, published today, Mr Adams offered to meet directly with those involved and to outline his party's strategy for advancing republican objectives and in its belief in the futility of armed actions.
"It is clear from the overwhelming public rejection of the attack which killed Ronan Kerr that the people of Ireland demand that such groups stop their actions," he said.
Mr Adams also addressed people who he says might have some tolerance for armed actions.
"Don't be fooled into thinking that you are helping the IRA. The war is over. The IRA is gone."
He said a tiny minority of those who were formerly engaged in conflict, had now turned their hands to criminality.
"Some people masqeurading as activists are heavily involved in extortion, robberies, and tiger kidnappings," he said.
"The goal for the future must be to defend the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement. The conditions which in the past led to republican armed actions have fundamentally changed. Political conditions have changed. New opportunities now exist to advance republican goals."
"I am and others in the Sinn Féin leadership are willing to discuss all of this with any prepared to speak to us.”