In Ireland, the political wing of the Irish Republican Army has agreed for the first time to recognize the legitimacy of the police force and criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. The decision overturned a century of opposition to any British policing presence in Ireland. The move by Sinn Fein is expected to put pressure on Unionists to enter a power-sharing government. Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said this marks a new phase of the struggle for the republican movement.

• Gerry Adams: “And the decision we have taken today is truly historic: what the significance will be and how we use this decision to move our struggle forward. Today you have created the potential to change the political landscape on this island forever. You have created the opportunity to significantly advance our struggle.”

Sunday’s vote by Sinn Fein came just weeks after the police ombudsman for Northern Ireland revealed that unionist death squads had once operated virtually as surrogates of the police in Northern Ireland.