Republican group says 'armed struggle is over' and announces start of decommissioning on eve of Hillary Clinton visit

This article is more than 10 years old

This article is more than 10 years old

The republican paramilitary group that assassinated the Tory MP and Margaret Thatcher ally Airey Neave is to give up its weapons and pursue purely peaceful politics.

The Irish National Liberation Army announced today it will begin discussion with General John de Chastelain's disarmament body and move towards decommissioning its guns and bombs.

During the Troubles the INLA murdered 113 people including 15 of its own members during several brutal internal feuds in the 80s and 90s. Among its most infamous members was Dominic "Mad Dog" McGlinchey, once Ireland's most wanted men, who led INLA during the mid-80s.

The announcement was made at the Seamus Costello Commemoration in Bray, County Dublin. Costello founded the INLA after a split within the IRA in 1974. Three years later the IRA shot him dead in central Dublin.

"The armed struggle is over," the INLA statement said.

The movement's political wing, the Irish Republican Socialist Party, told the graveside gathering that the best way to achieve a united socialist Ireland is "through political, peaceful means".

The British and Irish governments have been briefed about the INLA move. The road to INLA decommissioning has been going on for several years through internal discussions.

Despite a ceasefire since 1998, the group has been responsible for a number of subsequent killings on both sides of the border including the murder of a man in Derry, who intervened to help another man being attacked by INLA members.

A small number of members, opposed to the ceasefire, have already defected to the Real IRA and Continuity IRA. The majority of the movement, however, are understood to be solidly behind the decision to wind up its paramilitary machine.

The news that another armed republican group is moving towards disarmament comes on the eve of Hilary Clinton's visit to Belfast. The US secretary of state will hold talks with the leaders of Northern Ireland's political parties. They will discuss potential new US investment and progress towards a deal on devolving policing and justice to the Stormont assembly.