UDA set to confirm weapons dumped

[Trevor Hill]

The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) is expected to announce on Wednesday that it has put its weapons beyond use.

The loyalist paramilitary group has five weeks to meet the government's 9 February deadline to complete the decommissioning of its weapons.

Once this deadline passes, any UDA weapons discovered by police would be forensically tested and evidence could be used in future court cases.

The Ulster Volunteer Force completed decommissioning last year.

It is understood that the leadership of the UDA put its weapons beyond use in recent weeks.

Details of the process are expected to be announced at a news conference on Wednesday morning and confirmed in a statement from General John de Chastelain, the head of the international decommissioning body which witnessed the act.

[Minder]

So the "community funding" cheque must have cleared.

[Zapatista]

Looks to me like the loyalist community no longer feel under threat. It's long past the time for devolution. Could this seal it? If the UDA are confident surely the DUP can't keep playing the same card?

[Gaffer]

So it's finally bye bye  to General De Chastlin

[Trevor Hill]

Leaders of the Ulster Defence Association confirmed today that it had decommissioned all weapons under its control.

The North's largest loyalist paramilitary group put the remainder of its arsenal out of use in recent weeks.

The paramilitary organisation, responsible for some of the bloodiest atrocities during the conflict, had already put a small number of guns beyond use last June.

The act was facilitated by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) under the leadership of General John De Chastelain.

The disarmament was verified by two independent witnesses – former Church of Ireland primate Robin Eames and former top civil servant and chair of the Ulster Bank George Quigley.

The announcement was made at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast by the UDA's political representative, the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG).

UPRG leader Frankie Gallagher said: "Today the leadership of the Ulster Defence Association can confirm that all weaponry under its control has been put verifiably beyond use.

"This historic decision has been taken as a result of unprecedented consultation of all Brigade areas throughout the British Isles."

Mr Gallagher said he wanted to pay tribute to former UDA members who had died or been imprisoned during the Troubles.

He added: "To all those in the community who have lost loved ones, we understand and we share in your sense of loss but we are determined and are willing to play our full part in ensuring that tragedy of the last 40 years will never happen again."

Mr Gallagher also categorically denied that the decommissioning was bought with the offer of government investment in loyalist areas.

Eames and Quigley confirmed the decommissioning.

"We were very pleased to have the opportunity to be present at such a significant moment in the course of Northern Ireland's steady progress towards what can be a far better future for everyone than we have ever known before," they said.

"It is vital that what has happened should not only close an old chapter but should open a new and a very different one.

"Those within loyalism who have eschewed violence and criminality and who are genuinely committed to helping transform their communities need to be supported, and those communities fully integrated into the political process.

"It was such an approach that facilitated republicanism's successful involvement in the shaping of a new future."

Mr Gallagher said the move paved the way for a new future for the North and helped close the door on the past.

"The Ulster Defence Association was formed to defend our communities; we state quite clearly and categorically that this responsibility now rests with the government and its institutions where legitimacy resides," he said.

"The opportunity now presents itself for all political parties to create an era where all our communities can benefit from stability, investment and growth within this region of the United Kingdom and enjoy the benefits of freedom and diversity.

"We have fulfilled our obligations, our commitment remains intact and we trust the future for all the people of these islands will be one of equality, harmony and fulfilment and those future generations will achieve their aspirations and dreams in an environment of peace and prosperity."