Monitor group to report on paramilitary activity
A preliminary report will be issued by the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) by the end of this week on recent paramilitary activity, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern confirmed today.
Speaking after a meeting with three IMC members this morning Mr Ahern added that the document will be given to the Irish Government early next week.
He said: “It was a very good meeting. We had a comprehensive and detailed discussion about recent events and the ongoing peace process and how we will engage in 2005.
“The IMC said it was their intention to complete a preliminary report into recent matters by the end of this week.”
It was the first meeting between Mr Ahern and the IMC since December’s £26.5m (€38m) Northern Bank robbery which the PSNI blamed on the IRA.
Mr Ahern also accused Sinn Féin leaders of having prior knowledge of the record heist during aborted power-sharing talks.
Set up in January last year, the IMC comprises of representatives of the Irish, British and US government and is tasked with monitoring paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland.
Mr Ahern said today that he will work out a programme of activity for 2005 with British Prime Minister Tony Blair when he meets him in Downing Street tomorrow.
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