Unionists react with anger at axing of 'home' RIR

Unionists have reacted with anger at the news that two home battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) are to be disbanded as part of its 'normalisation' programme in response to last week's IRA statement.

The decision to retire the Northern Ireland-based battalions of the regiment on 1 August 2007 was described as "a scandalous betrayal" by DUP leader Dr Ian Paisley.

"The destruction of the RIR represents yet another example of how this Government treats those who have put their lives on the line and made sacrifices during the Troubles," Dr Paisley said.

"The RIR have now to go the same way as the RUC, the USC and the UDR. We salute the memory of the gallant men and women who paid the supreme price and who are now quickly forgotten by the Government."

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey said the decision was "deplorable".

“This announcement has come before any acts of completion by Republicans, in direct contradiction of the government’s own promise on the matter," Sir Reg said.

"Normalisation can only occur in an enabling environment. To pretend that an enabling environment exists at the moment is not only premature but is a wreckless endangerment of the security position of our Province."

Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy said the move was a welcome one.

"We have consistently called for the British government to produce a comprehensive strategy to achieve the demilitarisation of our society," Mr Murphy said.

"Any such strategy would have to include the future of the RIR. Sinn Féin have

consistently raised the issue of the continuing role of the RIR, its sectarian composition and its collusion with the unionist paramilitaries and this announcement deals with this issue."

More than 3,000 soldiers serve in the three battalions, many part-time.

News of the decision was broken to them on Monday morning.

(MB/SP)