The 2005 statement by the Provisional IRA announcing the end of its armed campaign took decades to bring about, Gerry Adams has said.The former Sinn Fein president also voiced regret that it took so long to come, suggesting the UK Government was focused on "defeating republicanism".He also said he regretted the number of lives lost during the Troubles as he reflected on the upcoming 20th anniversary of the IRA statement.

The 2005 statement by the Provisional IRA announcing the end of its armed campaign took decades to bring about, Gerry Adams has said.The former Sinn Fein president also voiced regret that it took so long to come, suggesting the UK Government was focused on "defeating republicanism".He also said he regretted the number of lives lost during the Troubles as he reflected on the upcoming 20th anniversary of the IRA statement.