Provisional Irish Republican Army
The structures of PIRA remain in existence in a much reduced form. This includes a senior leadership, the 'Provisional Army Council' (PAC), and some 'departments' with specific responsibilities.
At a lower level, there are some regional command structures. At this lower level, some activity takes place without the knowledge or direction of the leadership. We do not believe the group is actively recruiting.
The group took part in decommissioning between 2001 and 2005 but continues to have access to some weapons. PIRA has not conducted organised procurement of new weaponry in the period since the last IMC report of 2011.
PIRA members believe that the PAC oversees both PIRA and Sinn Fein with an overarching strategy. We judge this strategy has a wholly political focus. PIRA members have been directed to actively support Sinn Fein within the community including activity like electioneering and leafleting.
Some PIRA members are involved in gathering information of interest to the group including details of DR (dissident republican) activities and the attempted identification of covert human intelligence sources. A small number are involved in the storage of remaining weaponry in order to prevent its loss to dissident republicans.
Individual PIRA members remain involved in criminal activity, such as large scale smuggling, and there have been isolated incidents of violence, including murders.
The investigation into the murder of Kevin McGuigan is still ongoing; however, we judge that the assessment put forward by the Chief Constable in his public statement on 22 August remains accurate.
The group is not involved in targeting or conducting terrorist attacks against the state or its representatives. There have only been very limited indications of dissent to date and we judge that this has been addressed effectively by the leadership.
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Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)
The structures of INLA remain in existence but there is little indication of centralised control from the leadership. As a consequence, groups across Northern Ireland operate largely independently of each other.
There are indications that INLA is attempting to recruit new members.
The group decommissioned weapons in 2010 but continues to have access to some weapons.
There have been some efforts to redirect INLA towards community initiatives and a small number of members have taken roles in republican politics with the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP).
However, INLA members have continued to be heavily involved in criminality including extortion, drug dealing, distribution of stolen goods and fraud.
INLA has also been responsible for paramilitary-style assaults and intimidation attacks against alleged drug dealers. These activities have a significant impact on the local community.
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Ulster Volunteer Force/Red Hand Commando
The structures of the UVF remain in existence and there are some indications of recruitment.
A top leadership sets strategy for the group but there are lower levels of leadership who have some independence in decision making.
The group took part in decommissioning in 2009 but continues to have access to some weapons.
The UVF leadership has attempted to steer its membership towards peaceful initiatives and to carve out a new constructive role. A small number have taken up roles in the politics with the PUP.
However, a larger number, including some senior figures, are extensively involved in organised crime including drug dealing, extortion and smuggling.
The UVF are involved in conducting paramilitary style assaults. In some cases UVF members are heavily involved in violence and crime.
The UVF leadership is committed to transforming the purpose of the group to community focused initiatives but have only limited control over the activities of its membership.
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Ulster Defence Association
The UDA structures remain in existence but have become increasingly fragmented. The organisation is split in a number of geographical areas, each with its own structures which act almost completely autonomously.
The UFF previously used as a front for the UDA no longer exists. Organisation decommissioned in 2010 but continues to have access to some weapons.
There are some indications of recruitment.
There are members who have continued to steer the group into positive community based activism. However, others have been resistant to change and remained active in criminality and violence.
Individual members and senior figures within many UDA areas are involved in organised crime including drug dealing, robbery, extortion and the distribution of counterfeit goods.
There has been an increase in paramilitary activity in the north Antrim area resulting in a murder (Brian McIlhagga) for which a murder investigation is ongoing.
The UDA leadership are committed to transforming the group but have only limited control over its membership.
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South East Antrim UDA
SEA UDA remains a separate entity from the mainstream UDA.
It retains structures similar to those within the mainstream UDA and its membership is engaged in the same types of criminal and violent activity.
During the Union flag protests in 2012 individual members were believed to have been involved in serious disorder in the Carrickfergus area.
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Loyalist Volunteer Force
The LVF exists only as a criminal group in Antrim and mid-Ulster.
