Villiers shares PSNI view that some IRA structures remain

The Northern Secretary Theresa Villiers has stated she accepts the PSNI view that the Provisional IRA still exists, while focusing on the police view that Kevin McGuigan's murder was not " sanctioned or authorised by the Provisional IRA as an organisation".

Ms Villiers said she believed that Sinn Féin subscribed to the principles of democracy and consent.

Mr McGuigan’s murder earlier this month is believed to have been in revenge for the murder in early May of senior republican Gerard “Jock” Davison in the Markets area of central Belfast.

At the weekend PSNI chief constable George Hamilton said the Provisional IRA still existed and that some of its members were involved in the killing of former IRA man Mr McGuigan.

He said there was no evidence at this stage that the IRA sanctioned his murder.

While Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams insisted at the weekend that the IRA had “gone away” and that it was not involved in the murder, Mr Hamilton’s comments prompted some unionists to raise questions about the continued viability about the Northern Executive and Assembly, and whether Sinn Féin should be allowed to remain in the Executive.

Ms Villiers however was of the view that Mr Hamilton’s comments should not threaten the Executive and Assembly.

"It is a grave concern that we have seen a man gunned down on the streets of Belfast. And that obviously follows on from a previous brutal killing. And clearly it's a concern that a line of investigation by the PSNI indicates that the people who might be responsible might be members of the Provisional IRA," she told The Irish Times on Monday evening.

“All of that is worrying. But we do have to look at the evidence and the facts and the chief constable of the PSNI was very clear at the weekend there isn’t evidence that this crime was sanctioned or authorised by the Provisional IRA as an organisation,” she added.

Ms Villiers said it should come as “no surprise” that there were still some IRA structures in place.

“I share the view of the chief constable. I think it is clear, as he stated, that the Provisional IRA still exists. There are some organisational structures intact. But there is no evidence that the organisation is involved in paramilitary or terrorist activity,” she said.

“This is a serious case. It has caused understandable concern and tension but I do think it is important that we remember that the key principle here is that all parties involved in the institutions must subscribe to the principles of democracy and consent.

"It seems to me that they all do and therefore in those circumstances it is important for them to work together on the business of government in Northern Ireland, not least of which is getting the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement back on track."

Asked if she believed Sinn Féin subscribed to the principles of democracy and consent Ms Villiers said: “Yes, I have seen nothing that convinces me otherwise.”

“Clearly, if the facts change and it is indicated that the Provisional IRA is involved in paramilitary and terrorist activity then that would have very serious consequences which will need to be very carefully considered,” added Ms Villiers.

She said the officials from her department and the Department of Foreign Affairs had been in touch about the situation. She planned to contact the Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan by phone this week and would discuss the situation directly with him in Dublin next week.

“The most crucial thing at the moment is the police get on with their job, and bring to justice the individuals concerned. In terms of political fallout we have to act on the basis of the facts and in those circumstances I think it is appropriate for the political parties to continue to work together in the Executive serving the people of Northern Ireland.”