Loyalist move welcomed

This morning's announcement by loyalist paramilitary groups that they have carried out major acts of disarmament has been welcomed.

President Mary McAleese said: “This is a very important step in building and consolidating peace in Northern Ireland and signals a turning away from a culture of conflict towards a culture of good neighbourliness, within Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland.

“In order to build on this important and welcome progress, we encourage those who have not yet completed the process to do so in co-operation with the IICD.” Alliance party leader David Ford said the developments were good news for Northern Ireland.

He said: “Communities who have suffered at the hands of these groups will be reassured that it appears that they have decommissioned fully.

“We now need to see the UDA doing the same as quickly possible. They cannot stall any further and must meet the decommissioning deadline set down by the Secretary of State.”

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said he has been kept fully briefed by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning on developments in relation to loyalist decommissioning.

The Minister said he expects that he and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will receive a formal report from the IICD "at an appropriate stage reflecting the positive developments which have taken place."

"General John de Chastelain, Brigadier Tauno Nieminem and Mr. Andy Sens have worked with great patience and skill to achieve the decommissioning of all paramilitary weapons in the North."

"While more remains to be done they have made progress on a scale many people believed was not possible. The people of this island will be forever in their debt."

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has also welcomed the decommissioning. Mr Kenny said the cementing of the peace process will be "significantly advanced" by today’s move, which he "wholeheartedly welcomed".

“The announcement today . . . is a highly significant development in the context of further advancing the peace process in Northern Ireland", he said.

“The role played played by Martin McAleese in the peace process through his dialogue and interaction with the Unionist community in Northern Ireland is one that should be acknowledged was undoubtedly of real significance in the recent progress that has been made."

Mr Kenny also warned there could be "no room for complacency" in regard to peace in Northern Ireland.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Shaun Woodward welcomed the UVF/RHC announcement and encouraged the UDA to complete the decommissioning process with the IICD.

“This is an historic day for people in Northern Ireland,” said Mr Woodward.

“The leadership of the UVF and RHC have today taken a bold and courageous decision for peace.

“For those who have doubted the political process it is proof that the politics works, and that guns have no place in a normal society.

“I also welcome the movement by the UDA that they have started to decommission their weapons. I would encourage them to continue their engagement with the IICD and complete decommissioning as soon as possible.”

Cardinal Seán Brady said: ‘I welcome the confirmation today that the Loyalist paramilitary groups the UVF and Red Hand Commando have decommissioned their illegal weapons in a verifiable way and that the UDA have started this process with a firm commitment to complete the decommissioning process.

"My first thoughts are for those for whom this news will evoke painful memories of loved ones lost and lives destroyed through the utter futility and evil of violence."

"News of these acts of decommissioning will be particularly welcomed within the Catholic community which was the target of so much of the violence of Loyalist paramilitary groups."

"I renew my appeal to all paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons completely and to give the people of Northern Ireland, especially the young, further grounds to hope that the peaceful, normal society for which we all yearn is now in sight."

"I pray that what has been announced today will help us to move further away from fear and suspicion to greater trust, good will and friendship among all, whatever our background or identity. This is the only future worthy of our human dignity. It is the reconciled and peaceful future to which the Gospel calls us."

Welcoming the announcment, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr Stafford Carson: said: “I hope that this will give everyone the confidence to commit themselves totally to the political process by which we can build a community where everyone has a part to play and a part in our shared and peaceful future together.”

Methodist minister Rev Gary Mason of the East Belfast Methodist Mission said it was "historic", and "very courageous". "It's been a long journey but worthwhile," he added.