INLA decommissioning announcement expected

The head of the international decommissioning body, General John de Chastelain is expected to announce the move, just a day in advance of the expiry of legislation that enables the commission to carry out its work.

It is thought that the destruction of the INLA's arms cache happened in recent weeks.

Whilst small in numbers the INLA's were regarded as perhaps the most ruthless of the armed republican groups and carried out approximately 120 murders in its 35 year history.

Amongst the atrocities were the Droppin Well bombing in Ballykelly in 1982 that claimed the lives of 17 people-11 soldiers and six civilians.

The INLA announced its intention to decommission its weapons at a commemoration held by its political wing, the Irish Republican Socialist Party in October 2009.

The INLA emerged in 1974 after a radical element led by its founder, former IRA commander, Seamus Costello broke away from the Official IRA. In 1979 the group claimed responsibility for the murder of Tory MP Airey Neave who died when a bomb exploded under his car in the House of Commons car park.

In 1997, INLA prisoner Christopher 'Crip' McWilliams shot dead Loyalist Volunteer Force leader, Billy 'King Rat' Wright inside Long Kesh prison.