Scoping exercise over paramilitary engagement branded ‘madness' by Naomi Long
A plan by the UK and Irish governments to appoint an independent figure to examine whether a formal process of engagement with paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland is required to bring about their disbandment has been described as 'madness' by Stormont's Justice Minister, Naomi Long.
The announcement by the two governments came after the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) said in its latest report that a 'twin track' process of law enforcement and tackling the roots of paramilitarism is needed.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has insisted no financial offer will be made to paramilitary groups to persuade them to end violence.
Secretary of State @hilarybennmp today laid in Parliament the seventh report of the Independent Reporting Commission. Read his full ministerial statement below.https://t.co/rfJpvwPViF
— Northern Ireland Office (@NIOgov) February 25, 2025
In its seventh report, the IRC reiterated its call for the two Governments to appoint an independent person to scope out what a formal process of engagement and group transition might look like.
In response, Mr Benn said the two Governments have been 'giving consideration to how progress could be made towards ending paramilitarism'.
He said: 'The two Governments have agreed to jointly appoint, in the period ahead, within the existing IRC legislative framework, an independent expert to carry out a short scoping and engagement exercise to assess whether there is merit in, and support for, a formal process of engagement to bring about paramilitary group transition to disbandment.
'This will include examining what could be in scope of such a formal process.'
Mr Benn added: 'I want to be clear that this is not the start of a formal process itself.
'This scoping exercise is also not a part of, nor an alternative to, the existing law enforcement and criminal justice measures and the wider effort through the Executive Programme to tackle the ongoing violence and harm caused by paramilitary groups.
'I also want to be clear that no financial offer will be made to paramilitary groups or to the individuals involved in them in exchange for an end to violence and ongoing harms.'
But Ms Long said she had 'no confidence' in the exercise being established by the two governments.
She said: 'First of all, despite asking repeatedly, I have not had the IRC or anyone else identify a single credible barrier to these organisations disbanding, or transitioning, if that is what they want to do.
'Secondly, I am unclear when people talk about group transition what they see the end product of that being. When I ask that question nobody can define it for me.
'I am very clear it is about individuals stopping the harm they are causing in communities and behaving like ordinary citizens.'
She added: 'Could you imagine the Government engaging in this way with any other criminal gang? It is unthinkable.
'I think it is madness. I don't think it will work because I don't believe there are barriers to those who wish to stop.'
Ms Long said those who are involved in paramilitary groups were only interested in power and money.
She added: 'I think to have an interlocutor is to suggest at some level there is some conversation to be had.
'The only conversation to be had with paramilitaries at this point of time is to tell them they need to exit the stage.'
The IRC's report said it had been a 'mixed year' in the region, with a decease in shootings and paramilitary-style assaults, but 'concerning levels of intimidation, coercive control and threats'.
The body – led by commissioners John McBurney, Monica McWilliams, Tim O'Connor and Mitchell Reiss – was established in 2017 to report annually on progress towards ending paramilitary activity in the region.
It is governed by an international treaty between the UK and Irish Governments which reflected the terms of the Fresh Start Agreement concluded by the two Governments and the Northern Ireland parties in 2015.
In a statement following the seventh report, the commissioners described 'shifting dynamics' within both republican and loyalist paramilitary groups.
They said: 'There has been a decrease in shooting incidents and paramilitary-style assaults. However, bombing incidents and casualties from paramilitary-style shootings have remained consistent with previous years.
'Intimidation, coercive control and threats linked to paramilitary groups persist and remain a real concern.
'In 2024, we have seen shifting dynamics within both republican and loyalist paramilitary groups, including changes in leadership, reported splits, speculation about possible feuds, ongoing questions about whether actions were sanctioned by paramilitary leaders, various interpretations of larger gatherings of people, and increasing interactions with organised crime.
'We understand that this can be challenging for the PSNI and others in attributing responsibility for, or involvement in, certain actions. However, where there is paramilitary involvement, this must be called out and the harm it causes has to be named.'
The commissioners also emphasised the need for a 'twin track' approach of tackling paramilitarism as well as a formal process of group transition.
They said: 'Track one comprises a robust and targeted set of law enforcement measures addressing paramilitarism, coupled with an effective wider criminal justice response.
'Track two involves a comprehensive tackling of the deep-rooted socio-economic conditions which are linked to the continuing existence of paramilitarism today.
'Both tracks, which are inter-related, are vital in the task of tackling and ending paramilitarism.
'Our report advocates for a third dimension to complement the twin-track approach: an agreed formal process of group transition, involving direct engagement with the paramilitary groups themselves, in order to bring about their ending.'
The commissioners also welcomed the focus on paramilitarism in the new draft Programme for Government of the Northern Ireland Executive.
They said: 'We strongly recommend that some of the targeted paramilitary-focused work which the programme has been responsible for should continue beyond 2027, while also ensuring that consideration is given to those elements of the work of tackling paramilitarism that could be integrated into mainstream policies.'
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck welcomed the IRC report.
'Partnership working is an imperative element in our pursuit to tackle this kind of criminality, which we know creates fear in local communities,' he said.
'This will not be tolerated and we will continue to ensure that robust enforcement is at the forefront of our approach to dealing with paramilitarism.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Kneecap's Mo Chara Granted Unconditional Bail at First Hearing on Terror Charge
Kneecap's Mo Chara was released on unconditional bail at his first court appearance in London on terror charges tied to an incident where he allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag at a concert. The preliminary hearing at the Westminster Magistrates' Court Wednesday June 18 was largely procedural. The Belfast rapper, real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, spoke only to confirm his name, and the judge scheduled his next court date for Aug. 20. If convicted, Ó hAnnaidh could face up to six months in prison, and a fine. More from Rolling Stone Wife of Weezer Bassist Appears in Court, Wins Delay in LAPD Shooting Case Tyler Perry Sued for Alleged Sexual Assault, Battery by 'The Oval' Actor Matthew Perry's Ketamine Death: Second Doctor Agrees to Plead Guilty The terror charge is based on footage from a November 2024 concert in London, where Ó hAnnaidh allegedly displayed the Hezbollah flag and yelled, 'Up, Hamas, up Hezbollah,' as well as, 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory.' Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the U.K., and it is a crime to publicly support them. Ó hAnnaidh and Kneecap have repeatedly denied the allegations, stating previously that they 'do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah.' They've claimed footage of the November 2024 concert was 'deliberately taken out of all context,' and suggested the terror charge is a reprisal for their outspoken support for Palestine, their calls for an end to the war in Gaza, and their criticism of the U.K. and U.S. governments for continuing to fund and supply arms to Israel. At Wednesday's hearing, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove insisted the case was not about Ó hAnnaidh's support for Palestine or criticism of Israel, adding that he is 'well within his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anybody else' (via The Associated Press). Rather, Bisgrove said the case is centered around the video of Ó hAnnaidh at the November 2024 concert. Ó hAnnaidh's lawyer, Brenda Campbell, countered that authorities charged the rapper outside the six-month statute of limitations for a terror offense. While the concert took place on Nov. 21, 2024, London Metropolitan police only became aware of the alleged incident in late April 2025, not long after Kneecap's controversial set at Coachella, where they displayed messages about the war in Gaza. The charge was brought May 21, exactly six months after the London concert. 'If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case,' Campbell said of the timeline. Ó hAnnaidh and his bandmates Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvai (JJ O'Dochartaigh) all arrived at the London courthouse wearing Palestinian keffiyeh scarves. They were greeted by a crowd of supporters outside, many of whom were waving Palestinian and Irish flags. On social media last night, Kneecap wrote, 'British courts have long charged people from the North of Ireland with 'terrorism' for crimes never committed. We will fight them. We will win.' Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
United Ireland should be new state that ‘can be better for all of us'- Varadkar
A united Ireland should not be 'annexation of six more counties' but a new state 'that can be better for all of us', a former Irish premier has said. Leo Varadkar also said he hopes the current Irish government takes the decision to establish a forum to lead discussions on unity, and also appeared to dismiss concerns of potential loyalist violence in reaction to a united Ireland. Mr Varadkar, who stood down as taoiseach in April last year, said he believes he will see a united Ireland in his lifetime but warned it is not inevitable. He said that he has had no regrets so far since leaving elected politics, and is enjoying both 'a lot of personal and intellectual freedom to say what I think'. He was speaking at an In Conversation event with Rev Karen Sethuraman at St Mary's University college in west Belfast, hosted by Feile an Phobail and Ireland's Future. Former Sinn Fein president and West Belfast MP Gerry Adams was among those in the audience for the event. Mr Varadkar stressed that a united Ireland 'has to be a new Ireland that is better for everyone'. 'That includes a bill of rights, guarantees civil protections and liberties,' he said. 'Unification, in my view, is not the annexation of six more counties by the Republic of Ireland. It's a new state and one that can be better for all of us, an opportunity that only comes around every 100 years, which is to design your state and design your constitution.' In terms of what the current Irish Taoiseach is doing, Mr Varadkar described the Shared Island Unit, which was set up when he was Taoiseach, as really positive. But he said he would like to see the Irish Government lead a forum ahead of unity. 'Just saying it as an aspiration isn't enough anymore, it should be an objective and an objective is something you act on,' he said. 'One of the ideas that I would put forward, which could help to move on this discussion, is the establishment of some sort of forum.' He said there was the New Ireland Forum in the 1980s, and the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation in the 1990s. 'I think there is a strong case now for us to convene the parties that are interested in talking about this, unions, business groups, civil society in a forum to have that discussion, but I don't see how that can happen if that isn't led by the Irish Government, and I hope at some point during the course of this five-year government, a decision will be taken to do that,' he said. Meanwhile, asked how he felt potential violent opposition to a united Ireland could be handled, Mr Varadkar suggested he felt 'only a very small minority may turn to violence'. 'I know there are people south of the border who, when I talk to them about reunification, express to me concerns that there might be a very small minority within unionism who may turn to violence,' he said. 'I don't think we should dismiss that as a possibility. I don't think it will happen, to be honest. 'In two referendums, both north and south, people would be very clearly giving their preference as to what should happen, it would be quite a different situation to when partition happened 100 years ago and it wasn't voted for. 'I don't think that would arise but I think it's a reasonable question.' Meanwhile, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly suggested Mr Varadkar was 'wrong in terms of the trajectory' towards a united Ireland, insisting the number of people voting for nationalist parties, around 40%, 'hasn't moved since 1998'. Mr Varadkar said he was in politics long enough to not respond to someone else's comments without hearing them in full, but said the case he is making is not just based on the percentage of people who vote for nationalist parties, adding it is clear the percentage voting for unionist parties has fallen. Earlier, Mr Varadkar visited nearby Colaiste Feirste where he heard about the growth in Irish medium education, and plans to build a new Irish Language Heritage and Interpretive Centre, An Spas Din. School principal Micheal Mac Giolla Ghunna said: 'We have grown a vibrant Irish language community from our base in the Gaeltacht Quarter, leading to challenges for us in terms of accommodation and teacher provision. 'But far from limiting our ambitions, we are now using the Sportlann facility and initiatives like our GaelStair heritage project to offer our pupils and the wider community further opportunities.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Nigel Farage as British PM would put Irish unity ‘centre stage'
Former Irish premier Leo Varadkar said that Irish unity would become 'centre stage' if Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was elected UK prime minister. Mr Varadkar, who stood down as taoiseach in April last year, said it is possible Mr Farage will be prime minister in four years or nine years time. He described British politics as 'very volatile'. Reform made big gains in local elections in England and Wales in May. Mr Varadkar told BBC Northern Ireland's The View programme, which will be aired on Thursday night, that he hoped Mr Farage is not the next British prime minister. The former Fine Gael leader said if the Reform leader became prime minister, it would 'change the pictures in terms of attitudes towards independence in Scotland'. 'I think it would change the views of some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland (towards Irish unity),' he said. 'It isn't just because a right-wing nationalist government in London would want to bring the UK and Northern Ireland away from Europe. It is other things as well.' He also claimed that councils run by Reform in England were preventing people from flying Pride or progress flags. Mr Varadkar added: 'I don't think most people in Northern Ireland would like that. 'If that's the kind of government they had in London versus a government in Dublin that was very different, it might make them more likely to vote yes to unification,' he added. 'I do want to be very clear about this, it's not something I hope happens. 'I hope it doesn't happen.' Mr Varadkar said he believes planning for a united Ireland should be happening, but that a date should not be fixed as the numbers to win are not in place. He added: 'I don't think a united Ireland is inevitable, I think it's something that we have to work towards. 'But I think there are a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory. 'Demographic factors, polling, even the most recent numbers showing that a very clear majority of younger people in Northern Ireland want there to be a new united Ireland.' 'I think that will carry true, and that's why I think it's something that we should plan for.' He said Irish unity will not happen 'by osmosis or by accident'. 'I think (it) has to be worked towards. I think those of us who believe in it have a duty to make the case for it,' he added. 'Look at the trajectory, and that is clear. We see it in elections. We see it in opinion polls. We see it in demographics.'
