'Armed struggle is over' - INLA

Both the BBC and RTE have reported a significant development in the history of the Irish National Liberation Army. This weblog recognises the importance role of Ireland's Republican Socialist Movement towards peace and an end to sectarianism. For improved communities and an end to the drugs problem in society.

The Scottish Republican Socialist Newsletter salute the INLA and RSM for this brave decision.

BBC Report below:

'Armed struggle is over' - INLA
INLA men at funeral in 1996
The INLA has been on ceasefire for 11 years

An Irish republican paramilitary group responsible for dozens of murders during Northern Ireland's Troubles has renounced violence.

The Irish National Liberation Army said its "armed struggle is over".

The INLA said it would pursue its objectives from now on by "exclusively peaceful political struggle".

Its statement did not mention weapons decommissioning, but it is understood talks have begun and the government hopes the process will begin in months.

A small group which proved itself to be ruthless during the Troubles, it has been on ceasefire for 11 years.

The statement was issued through its political wing, the Irish Republican Socialist Party, at an event in Bray, County Wicklow on Sunday.

"The republican socialist movement has been informed by the INLA that following a process of serious debate, consultation and analysis, it has concluded that the armed struggle is over," it said.

"The objective of a 32-county socialist republic will be best achieved through exclusively peaceful political struggle."

'Deadline'

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said he welcomed the INLA's statement but "it is essential that words are matched to deeds".

Mr Woodward urged the INLA to destroy its weapons before the deadline in February when the decommissioning body is due to be wound up.

Established in 1975, many of its recruits were former members of the Official IRA.

They murdered Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman Airey Neave in 1979 by leaving a bomb under his car at Westminster.

The organisation was also responsible for one of Northern Ireland's worst atrocities.

In 1982 it killed 17 people in a bomb attack on the Droppin' Well pub in Ballykelly, County Londonderry.


INLA KILLINGS 1975 - 2001
Scene of Droppin' Well bombing
42 civilians
46 UK security forces
16 republican paramilitaries
Seven loyalist paramilitary
Two Irish security forces
Total: 113
Republican figures includes 10 INLA members killed in feuds
*Source: CAIN Troubles archive

Who are the INLA?
In pictures: INLA history
Political reaction

The INLA also murdered loyalist LVF leader Billy Wright at the Maze prison.

Three members of the INLA died in the jail while on hunger strike in the 1980s.

Despite being on ceasefire since 1998, it has carried out a number of shootings and engaged in a wide range of criminal activity.

The group has regularly indulged in bouts of bloody infighting.

In February this year, the INLA claimed responsibility for the murder of a drug dealer in Londonderry.

It is mainly involved in organised crime, such as extortion and robbery.

Last year police investigating the INLA and associates in County Londonderry seized controlled drugs with an estimated value of £10,000.

The INLA has been talking to intermediaries representing the British and Irish governments for several months.

The group is also believed to be engaged in talks with the head of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, General John de Chastelain about putting its weapons beyond use.

RTE Report:

INLA ends campaign of violence
Sunday, 11 October 2009 16:17

The INLA has announced that it is to end its armed struggle.

In a statement read out at the commemoration of its founding member, a spokesperson said that it would continue its campaign for a 32 County Socialist Republic through peaceful and political means.

This afternoon in Bray, Co Wicklow, around 60 republicans and socialists gathered for their annual commemoration of Seamus Costello.
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He was the man who, 35 years ago, founded the Irish National Liberation Army.

After the traditional wreath -laying ceremony, a member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, the political wing of the INLA, announced that the organisation had decided to end its armed struggle.

He said that the group had concluded that its objective of a 32 County Socialist Republic was best achieved through peaceful and political means.

The announcement brings to an end a 35 year campaign which has claimed around 150 lives.

After the IRA called its ceasefires in the 90s and eventually ended its campaign, the INLA remained in existence.

The INLA was notorious for the ruthless nature of its attacks and today's decision is both a significant and welcome development.

In recent years it was involved in several murders and has remained active in Derry, Strabane, parts of Belfast and in Dublin.

The PSNI and gardaí often linked it to racketeering and drugs related businesses.