UVF prisoners may be freed as ceasefire holds
Thursday May 15 2008
THE decision of the Northern Secretary to recognise the ceasefire of the loyalist parliamentary group, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), was last night welcomed by the Government here.
Northern Secretary of State Shaun Woodward announced his decision -- but deemed the dissident republican group calling itself Oglaigh na hEireann an illegal organisation.
In September 2005, the UVF's ceasefire had ceased to be recognised following a feud with the Loyalist Volunteer Force, which claimed four lives.
But last May, the loyalist force announced it was assuming "a non-military civilianised role" and that it would put its arms beyond reach.
Last night, a spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said recognition of the UVF ceasefire represented another important step in building a better future for Northern Ireland.
"It recognises that the UVF has made considerable progress over the last year and that the ceasefire is holding," he said.
Focus
"Our focus must remain in securing a complete abandonment of paramilitary activity, together with tangible progress on full decommissioning from all groups."
The decision to proscribe Oglaigh na hEireann was also welcomed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, describing it as a "small, totally unrepresentative element".
The organisation was blamed for the murder of Andrew Burns by the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), the body which monitors the paramilitary ceasefires.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Woodward said he had "taken a careful look" at the UVF's position.
The decision to recognise the ceasefire means some prisoners could now be eligible for early release, if they were convicted before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
"In the light of this and in acknowledgement of their commitment and additional factors, I have therefore concluded that there are sufficient grounds to de-specify the UVF/RHC," he said.
Leader of the Progressive Unionist Party Dawn Purvis, whose party has political links to the UVF, last night said the announcement was further evidence of Northern Ireland's strides towards normality.
- Aine Kerr Political Correspondent
