SEVEN out of 10 Sinn Fein supporters want the IRA to call a new ceasefire, according to an opinion poll in today's edition of the Irish News.
The Belfast newspaper reports that the survey, conducted two weeks after the IRA bombed British army head quarters at Lisburn, shows a significant majority of Sinn Fein supporters now backing a new ceasefire.
The survey of 1,038 people, found that 98 per cent of the Protestants and 89 per cent of the Catholics wanted an end to IRA violence.
"When Sinn Fein supporters were asked if they wanted an immediate ceasefire, 71 per cent said yes and 28 per cent said no," the newspaper said.
The poll also reflected considerable pessimism among all sections of the community over the short term prospects for peace. Both sides of the sectarian divide were pessimistic about the prospects that the multi party peace talks at Stormont would be successful.
Asked if the talks, chaired by the former US senator, Mr George Mitchell, would reach a settlement acceptable to both nationalists and unionists, 61 per cent said this was fairly, or very, unlikely. Only three per cent thought it was very likely.