A report for UTV Live on the announcement of an IRA ceasefire due to take place for a few days over the impending Easter period, 1994. The statement issued by the group suggests that they are seeking to move the peace process forward with the gesture. However, UK prime minister John Major is adamant that only a permanent end to IRA operations will allow Sinn Fein to take their place in negotiations.

Also voicing an opinion are the Irish taoiseach Albert Reynolds, SDLP leader John Hume and DUP leader Ian Paisley, who represent a spectrum of opinion from cautious optimism to rejection of the move.

In the end, the ceasefire proved to be very temporary, but the fact that it happened at all was suggestive of a move towards an alternative to violence.

An Ulster Television Production.