Former Sinn Fein member Denis Donaldson, who admitted spying for the British, has been found shot dead in the Republic of Ireland.
SINN FEIN PRESIDENT GERRY ADAMS
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, who spoke to the Donaldson family just before
news of the death broke, said the killing had to be condemned.
The Sinn Fein leadership had said Mr Donaldson was not in danger
"We are living in a different era, and in the future in which everyone could share.
"This killing seems to have been carried out by those who have not accepted that."
He added: "I want to disassociate Sinn Fein and indeed all those Republicans who support the peace process, if this man was murdered, from that killing."
"The IRA had no involvement whatsoever in the death of Denis Donaldson."
DOWNING STREET STATEMENT
"The prime minister condemns this as much as anyone but equally we note Gerry Adams has strenuously condemned this and distanced peace process republicans from it.
"Thursday's visit [Tony Blair's visit to Armagh to meet Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern] will go ahead as planned."
NORTHERN IRELAND SECRETARY PETER HAIN
"I am completely appalled by this barbaric act."
NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE
"Nothing will deflect the government from its aim of ensuring political progress in Northern Ireland."
IRISH TAOISEACH BERTIE AHERN
"We condemn this brutal murder. The matter is now under investigation by An Garda Siochana.
"We hope that whoever was responsible for this callous act will be brought to justice as soon as possible."
DEMOCRATIC UNIONIST PARTY LEADER IAN PAISLEY
Mr Paisley said he had heard Mr Donaldson's hand had been cut off.
"If what I have heard is true that they cut his hand off, that would show that they were saying 'here is a hand that signed away, what we would say, his obligation to IRA/Sinn Fein and we will deal with him' - it looks like that sort of murder.
"There are serious talks that are going to take place and I would say that
this has put a dark cloud over those talks.
"If this man has been murdered because of his connection with IRA/Sinn Fein
and because of the past happenings, then it strikes a blow at what the two
governments are trying to do - to say that the IRA has forsaken these ways and
they are seeking peace."
ULSTER UNIONIST LEADER SIR REG EMPEY
Sir Reg Empey has condemned those behind the murder.
In a statement, Sir Reg said: "I utterly condemn those behind this brutal act. When you consider the isolated location in which he had been living, Mr Donaldson must have been seen by many as a sitting duck."
SDLP DEPUTY LEADER DR ALASDAIR McDONNELL
"My sympathy goes out to his family and to his friends - because we thought that we'd put all this horror behind us."
DUP MP FOR NORTH BELFAST NIGEL DODDS
"I am shocked and appalled by what early reports are suggesting is the vicious slaying of Denis Donaldson.
"The rush by Gerry Adams to absolve Sinn Fein/IRA of responsibility is a sign of great nervousness."
SINN FEIN MP FOR NEWRY AND ARMAGH CONOR MURPHY
"The timing of his death points to people who are determined, at a time that when we're trying to get things back together in the political process here, people who are determined to upend that."