The report calls for focusing on law enforcement and approaching the roots of paramilitaism

A “Twin Track” law enforcement process and approaching the roots of paramilitaism is necessary in Northern Ireland, as well as a “group transition” process to leave the scene, a report said.

The independent reporting commission (IRC) has reiterated the appeal to governments in the UK and Irish to appoint an independent person to highlight how a formal process of group involvement and transition.

He also asked the Northern Ireland to “call” when there is a paramilitary involvement of the group in crime.

Calls come in the seventh report of the IRC following what it has called a “mixed year” in the region, with a death in shooting and paramilitary style, but “regarding the levels of intimidation, coercive control and threats”.

The body – led by the commissioners John McBurney, Monica Mcwilliams, Tim O’Connor and Mitchell Reiss – was established in 2017 to report the progress to the completion of the paramilitary activity in the region.

It is governed by an international treaty between governments in the UK and Irish, which reflected the conditions of the new beginning agreement concluded by the two governments and the Northern Ireland parties in 2015.

In a statement that followed the seventh report, the commissioners described the “dynamic change” in both the Republican and Loyal Paramilitary groups.

They said: “There was a decrease in shooting incidents and paramilitary style attacks. However, bombing incidents and victims from paramilitary style shoots have remained in accordance with previous years.

“Intimidation, coercive control and threats related to paramilitary groups persist and remain a real concern.

“In 2024, I noticed the change of dynamics in both the Republican and Loyalist paramilitary groups, including the leadership changes, reported separations, speculation about possible feuds, ongoing questions if the actions were sanctioned by paramilitary leaders. Interpretations of greater assemblies of people and increasing interactions with organized crime.

“We understand that this can be difficult for PSNi and others in attributing responsibility or involving in certain actions. However, where there is a paramilitary involvement, this must also be called the injury it causes. “

The commissioners also emphasized the need for a “twin track” approach to the approach of paramilitaism, as well as a formal process of transition of the group.

They said: “One of the pieces includes a robust set and targeted by measures to apply the law that addresses paramilitarism, coupled with a wider efficient response.

“The TWO song involves a comprehensive approach to the deeply rooted socio-economic conditions, which are related to the continuous existence of paramilitarism today.

“Both pieces, which are inter-free, are vital in the task of approaching and ending paramilitism.

“Our report advocates for a third dimension to complete the two-piece approach: a formal group transition process, which involves a direct involvement with the paramilitary groups itself, to bring their end.”

Commissioners have requested that governments in the UK and Irish have appoint an independent person to “prepare the land” for a group transition process.

“We welcome the progress made by the two governments to implement our recommendation to appoint an independent person, who could highlight how a possible formal process of group involvement and transition could show,” they said.

Also, the commissioners welcomed the emphasis on paramilitarism in the new program for the Government of the Northern Ireland.

They said: “We strongly recommend that some of the works oriented to paramilitary by which the program was responsible to continue beyond 2027, also ensuring that considerations of those elements of the activity of approaching paramilitism that could be integrated are granted. in mainstream politicians. “

The IRC report includes three recommendations.

These are a call for revising the belonging of the group of sponsors, which supervises the executive program on paramilitaism and organized crime and that the executive ensures a “full governance” approach.

They also recommended that the work focused on the paramilitary continue beyond March 2027, when the Executive Program on paramilitarism and organized crime will end.