Northern Ireland

Policing Board's Dolores Kelly condemns 'IRA' member's comments

Masked 'IRA' member. Picture taken from Channel 4.
Masked 'IRA' member. Picture taken from Channel 4. Masked 'IRA' member. Picture taken from Channel 4.

A Policing Board member has condemned comments made by the 'IRA' in an interview including claims that many of its members are young people.

She spoke out after the group, often referred to as the 'New IRA' made the claim in an interview broadcast by Channel 4 this week.

During the interview a masked member of the group claimed many members were born after 1998 - the year the Good Friday Agreement was signed.

Ms Kelly said: “I find it hard to believe that they are not creating conditions where young people, men in particular, are being targeted.”

"The violence of the past didn’t get us to a united Ireland and neither will their attempts.”

During the interview a masked man claiming to be from the 'IRA' said he had been “mandated” by the group's 'Army Council' to speak on its behalf.

His words were voiced by an actor.

It is understood the interview was approved by 'T O’Neill' - a name previously used by the group when issuing statements.

The masked man claimed that any new border infrastructure would be a “legitimate target for attack”.

Ms Kelly has described the interview as “depressing and chilling”.

“We have to have political stability and we have to make Northern Ireland work in the interests of all,” she said.