The IRA's public apology to the families of "non-combatants" killed in 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland fails to impress the British press.

"While it was not our intention to injure or kill non-combatants, the reality is that on this and on a number of other occasions, that was the consequence of our actions," said yesterday's republican statement.

"It is, therefore, appropriate on the anniversary of this tragic event, that we address all of the deaths and injuries of non-combatants caused by us.

"We offer our sincere apologies and condolences to their families."

The move comes ahead of the 30th anniversary of "Bloody Friday" - when nine people were killed and 130 injured in a wave of Belfast bombs.

Northern Ireland secretary, John Reid, welcomed the IRA apology.

"What we all have to do is to give people the confidence that there will be no return to the type of activities that caused that pain and that we are all committed to resolving our difficulties through exclusively democratic and political means," he said.

"Sorry" is not enough for the press - coming at a time when the Northern Ireland peace process has been under increasing pressure over alleged IRA involvement in rioting in Belfast, racketeering and the training of Colombian terrorists.

Some newspapers speculate that the announcement comes to cover Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams', involvement in the "Bloody Friday" bombings.

"IRA scum say sorry" runs the Express front page, while the Telegraph brands the apology "worthless".

"Even in peace-making mode, the grotesque cynicism of the republican movement cannot fail to startle - and will fail to reconcile the communities because it was not made in good faith," concludes the broadsheet's leader.