Mandelson warning over 'IRA killing'

Ed McCoy was shot while drinking in a pub

Early prisoner releases under the Good Friday Agreement could be affected if it is proven that the IRA was behind a bar-room killing, the Northern Ireland Secretary has said.

Senior security sources have told the BBC that they were "very definite" the IRA was involved in the shooting of Ed McCoy in a bar on 28 May, despite being on an official ceasefire.

Officials at the Northern Ireland Office dismissed the report. A spokesman said: "We understand the investigation is still at an early stage. The [police] still have an open mind on the case."

However, in a statement, secretary of state Peter Mandelson said: "I am aware of media speculation that the Provisional IRA was involved in the murder of Mr McCoy.

"An intensive police investigation is now under way.

" If evidence becomes available in the course of that investigation that any paramilitary organisation now on ceasefire was responsible for this crime I would take this very seriously.

"It would have a direct impact on my assessment of the ceasefire and therefore potentially on further prisoner releases."

He also appealed to paramilitary organisations not to do anything which could undermine political progress.

Mr Mandelson is under pressure from unionist politicians to take action if it is confirmed the IRA were behind the shooting.

Democratic Unionist Party minister Nigel Dodds has called for Sinn Fein to be excluded from Northern Ireland's newly restored power-sharing executive.

He asked whether the secretary of state and pro-agreement parties would "once again turn a blind eye to the murderous activities of the terrorists" because it was "politically expedient".

"David Trimble's decision to buy into the IRA's terms at Hillsborough have been exposed as total folly. He trusted the IRA. The IRA has once again shown him up to be a complete sucker," he said.

However, Sinn Fein senior negotiator Gerry Kelly said he had no reason to believe the IRA had broken its ceasefire.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Kelly said: "The IRA has been involved in a ceasefire.

"They have adhered to it and I have no knowledge there has been any change in that.

"Anyone who is involved in anything which affects the peace we are working for is wrong."

The deputy first minister and deputy SDLP leader Seamus Mallon has also commented on the reports that link the IRA to the murder.

He said the full details of Mr McCoy's murder were not yet clear but the best way to ensure horrific crimes did not happen was to have a properly-run police service.

Call for statement

Meanwhile, Prominent anti-agreement Ulster Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson has called for the early release of IRA over the revelation.

"I am deeply sceptical that the government will do this," he said.

Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey has called on Royal Ulster Constabulary Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan to state clearly who he thought was responsible for Mr McCoy's murder.

"It is absolutely essential that the chief constable clarifies this matter without further delay," said Mr McGimpsey.

"If the Provisional IRA were involved then clearly it raises serious questions about the status of their ceasefire."

Mr McCoy, 28, was singled out in the Motte 'n' Bailey pub and was shot several times.

Soon afterwards, security sources said the shooting was "drugs related".