A church of Ireland bishop said yesterday that many Protestants would be dismayed and worried by the IRA's decision to withdraw its offer to put its weapons and explosives verifiably beyond use. Dr James Mehaffey, the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, said many people now believed the IRA would never put its weaponry beyond use.
"For ordinary folk, many people will be dismayed and very concerned and worried about this statement by the IRA. Panic is not a word I would use to describe the attitude of many Protestant people. I think many Protestant people will say with maybe regret or with no regret, `We told you so, we don't expect the IRA to really decommission.' "
Dr Mehaffey added: "I think that is something to be recognised through the entire Protestant community . . . There will be plenty of talk, plenty of plans, but actually putting arms away beyond use is something that many Protestant people believe in their hearts will never happen."