Trimble calls on republicans to 'rein in' IRA

Republicans need to "rein in" their paramilitary wing and disband the IRA, Northern Ireland First Minister Mr David Trimble said…

Republicans need to "rein in" their paramilitary wing and disband the IRA, Northern Ireland First Minister Mr David Trimble said today.

But in the wake of the US Congressional hearing into alleged IRA-FARC links yesterday Sinn Féin says its position has been vindicated.

Mr Trimble said: "We need for them to get a grip and rein in their paramilitary elements and bring to a point the disbandment of their own paramilitary organisation.

"It is four years since the Agreement. We have had some progress. We are entitled to expect more progress. It is for him [Sinn Fein president Mr Gerry Adams] to decide how to do it," Mr Trimble said.

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"But the omens are not good. It looks like other people are giving him the orders rather than the other way around".

Mr Adams turned down an invitation to testify at the hearings before the US House of Representatives International Relations Committee yesterday.

But he said: "[The] hearing in Washington has vindicated Sinn Féin's position that we have no case to answer in respect of the allegations levelled against our party".

A report produced by the committee's investigators claimed that between 1998 and 2001, up to 15 IRA members travelled to Colombia. It also alleged the Provisionals were part of a global terror network.

Three Irishmen - Mr James Monaghan, Mr Niall Connolly and Mr Martin McCauley - are awaiting trial in Colombia on suspicion of training FARC rebels.

PA