Adams denies child abuse 'cover-up'
Sinn Féin has insisted it acted correctly in the handling of child abuse allegations against one of its representatives and threatened legal action over claims suggesting otherwise.
It strongly rejected allegations linking its party president Gerry Adams to a supposed cover-up of alleged abuse by a republican representative 30 years ago.
The party confirmed one of its elected representatives was currently suspended after police opened an investigation into a historic case of abuse, but Sinn Féin insisted Mr Adams was not linked to the controversy.
It had been claimed in a Sunday newspaper that Mr Adams was told of the alleged abuse but failed to act, but Sinn Féin rejected this.
Last night, in a further development, the alleged victim issued a statement through a solicitor distancing herself from other aspects of the Sunday Tribune report.
Mr Adams, his party and the alleged abuse victim, in separate moves, said they had handed their various concerns to solicitors for consideration.
But the Sunday Tribune defended its story. An editorial in the newspaper said it had already been contacted by lawyers for the alleged abuse victim but decided it was correct to publish and indicated it acted in good faith.
The alleged victim said in her statement last night: “My primary concerns are for the well being of my children and immediate family and that justice against my abuser is able to take its course without any interference.”
The newspaper report also carried the allegations of a separate woman who said Mr Adams was alerted to her claims that she was raped by a leading republican.
Sinn Féin also rejected the claim and denied wrongdoing in the case.
Last night two other prominent republicans, referred to in the story as having been involved in dealing with the claims also issued statements challenging elements of the allegations contained in the newspaper report.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin Assembly member Caral NiChuilin said: “Child abuse is a very difficult issue that people across Ireland are trying to come to terms with and central to all of this is the protection of children.
“This is not about political parties or indeed the impact on individual politicians.
“Sinn Féin comes at this from the position that the rights of victims are paramount.
“There is no cover-up or evasion by Sinn Féin of sexual abuse allegations involving party members.
“A number of alleged victims have in recent weeks come forward to tell their story and I support them fully in that.”
The episode comes as Mr Adams denies wrongdoing in the handling of allegations against his brother Liam, who is wanted by police over claims that he abused his daughter.
Mr Adams denies mishandling the case and has said he will give evidence for his niece and against his brother in any future court case.
