De Chastelain and independent witnesses confirm process of putting weapons beyond use has been completed Free article

At a packed press conference on Monday 26 September the head of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) announced that he was satisfied that the IRA had completed the process of putting its weapons beyond use. Free article

The conference also heard statements from two clergymen who acted as witnesses to the latest IRA initiative. Redemptorist Priest Alec Reid and Methodist Minister Harold Good. Free article

The Irish and British Governments responded positively to Monday's report from the IICD. In a statement they said they warmly welcomed what they termed a "landmark development". Free article

Responding in detail on Monday to the announcements by General John De Chastelain and two other members of the IICD and two independent witnesses about the IRA's historic arms initiative, Sinn Féin Gerry Adams said it was a full and positive response to his April appeal to the IRA. Free article

Clear differences within unionism have opened up this week in relation to the most appropriate response to the latest groundbreaking IRA initiative. The DUP leader Ian Paisley has alleged a "cover up" while the UUP sees potential for progress. Free article

The US government responded to the latest IRA move through a White House spokepesron who welcomed the IICD statement. Free article

A Sinn Féin delegation led by Gerry Adams met a Fianna Fáil/PD coalition delegation led by Bertie Ahern at Government Buildings on 23 September. According to the Sinn Féin negotiators it was an unremarkable meeting which went through current issues in the Peace Process. Free article

In welcoming developments Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín O Caoláin said it was a hugely difficult decision for republicans to make. "I know that many republicans who have fully supported the Sinn Féin peace strategy from the beginning will be feeling that yet again republicans have had to leap first. Free article

South African President Thabo Mbeki welcomed the statement by the IRA. "Today's announcement that the IRA has given up the use of armed resistance to achieve its aims can be rated as one of the most encouraging events in decades of protracted struggle in Northern Ireland," he said Free article

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said the he is satisfied that there was no official involvement by republicans in the brutal murder of a Dublin man in West Dublin in April. Free article

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP and Martin Ferris TD visited Micheal Ó Seighin, one of the Rossport 5, in Cloverhill Prison last Wednesday. Later Sinn Féin TDs raised the case of the five men in the Dáil demanding that the government intervene to resolve this matter. Free article