UCD students have collected over 3,500 signatures on a petition calling on the IRA to return to "peaceful and democratic means and to restore the atmosphere of peace and tranquillity that was so prevalent before the ceasefire".

According to Martin Conway, one of the students behind the petition, it is hoped to collect over 5,000 signatures by the end of this week, after which the petition will be handed in to Sinn Fein headquarters to be passed on to the IRA.

The students stress they have no political affiliation and the petition can be signed in the UCD Arts Block.