Orde warns of caution on IRA message

The IRA will need to live up to its words following today's keynote statement, the Chief Constable said.

Speaking at the John Hewitt Summer School in Armagh, Sir Hugh Orde said it was important that the IRA turned its promises into actions following today's expected landmark statement.

The senior PSNI officer added that it would be at least six months before progress could be made while the IRA's actions were monitored.

Mainstream republicans are expected to confirm that their war is over during a statement which follows wide consultation with grassroots activists.

Sir Hugh said that the commitment, which is expected to include decommissioning, would be treated with caution in some communities and added that a period of reflection would be necessary.

"I think no-one will be in a position to say anything for at least six months. We are not rushing anywhere," he said.

Sir Hugh said the move puts the onus on the IRA to actually conform to what they say in the statement.

"Charades won't work" he said.

Sir Hugh added that there was a more serious problem from dissident republicans and the loyalist feud and added that he hoped the IRA's process could end with Sinn Fein representatives taking their place on the Policing Board.

The senior officer said he believed that republicans had lost control of demonstrators during the disturbances at Ardoyne and added that dissidents had exploited the situation. Belfast Telegraph 28th July 2005