Political opponents playing 'Russian Roulette' with Peace Process, says Martin Ferris TD

SINN FÉIN TD Martin Ferris, who served 10 years in prison as a political prisoner, says the IRA which he was a member of no longer exists and the recent controversy claiming it does is a "concerted political attempt to demonise Sinn Féin". Political opponents are playing "Russian Roulette" with the Peace Process, he said.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Drivetime, the former senior IRA figure said the overwhelming majority of IRA Volunteers he knew while in prison are now involved in community work, ranging from Sinn Féin to residents' associations and GAA clubs.

"The one thing I do know, and I can say quite categorically as having been a member of the IRA for many years myself, is that the IRA no longer exists – it has gone away," he said.

The Kerry TD said the families of Kevin McGuigan and Gerard 'Jock' Davison deserve justice and called on republicans to "support the PSNI in finding out who was responsible for this criminal act".

He hit out at the plans by Mike Nesbitt's Ulster Unionist Party to withdraw from the Executive in the North, describing it as an 'internal squabble' among unionist parties.

"We in Sinn Féin have done everything in our power to have a Peace Process that is working and institutions that are working. 

"There is a threat at the moment to bring them down by Mike Nesbitt – a man who has no difficulty sharing platforms with loyalist leaders who were responsible for terrible acts in the last number of years and in particular stood with them when they assaulted and attacked the PSNI and didn't even condemn it. We in Sinn Féin came out in support of the PSNI to attempt to defuse the situation," he said

Martin Ferris said that, as with any revolutionary organisation in the world, in a period of conflict resolution some individuals drift into criminality but said it was a "tiny number".

"Most people I know that were in the IRA are involved in the political process. Most in Sinn Féin, others in their communities with the GAA and cultural groups. I think we in Sinn Féin have done a fantastic job in keeping so many people onboard and keeping so many people in support of the Peace Process. I think we've given great leadership in our communities to support policing and I don't think we could have done anything more."

He said those who carried out these recent killings are not connected to republicans in any way.

"The IRA I was involved in was a very disciplined and credible organisation. As an Irish republican and a former IRA person I say quite categorically that the people who did this have nothing to do with Irish republicanism. This was a criminal act carried out by criminals and they should be dealt with accordingly."

Hitting out at the hysterical reaction of some politicians in the South, Martin Ferris said:

"If some politicians down here want to play Russian Roulette with the Peace Process then they must be held responsible and accountable for that."