WebProNews

Tag: Sinn Fein

  • Sinn Fein Leader Gerry Adams Released From Police Custody With No Charges

    The Northern Island police has released Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams after being in their custody for 4 days.

    Last week, Adams agreed to turn himself in for questioning. The authorities questioned Adams about his alleged involvement in the 1972 abduction and killing of Jean McConville, a widow with 10 children suspected of being a British spy.

    Adams has long been involved with the IRA (Irish Republican Army). Today, he is the leader of Ireland’s second-biggest opposition party, Sinn Fein.

    Prior to Adams’ release Sinn Fein supporters gathered in protest

    After his release from police custody, Adams stated, “Let me be very clear: I am innocent of any involvement in any conspiracy to abduct, kill, or bury Mrs. McConville.” Adams came out escorted from the back entrance of the building to avoid protesters who were waiting outside.

    Adams was questioned, as there were allegations of his involvement in McConville’s case that came up from recorded messages left by IRA veterans who agreed to speak only if the recordings were to be released upon their death.

    According to testimonies on the tapes, Adams was the mastermind behind McConville’s abduction and killing. McConville’s body was found in 2003, and the police did not have any leads until the testimonies from the tapes were released.

    Adams also said that the only way to go is forward. He admits that he is an activist and he understands that he has detractors that will do anything to bring down Sinn Fein. Amidst all of these, he said that he holds no grudge against anyone.

    “My resolve remains as strong as ever, that is to build the peace, not to let this put us off, it’s our future, the past is the past,” Adams said in a news conference.

    When asked about how his stay in prison was, Adams said that it was okay. He also said the food they served him was inedible and that the facility where he was detained did not live up to modern standards.

    Image via YouTube

  • Sinn Fein Leader Gerry Adams Addresses Supporters

    The arrest of Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams under accusations of ordering the 1972 murder of a mother of 10 has “put a rocket under the Sinn Féin European and local election campaign,” party activists said at a political rally, according to The Irish Times.

    The rally, which was attended by 800 supporters, served as both an election rally and a reception for Gerry Adams, who was released from police custody without being charged for any crime. He spent four days and five nights being questioned in connection with the 1972 murder of Jean McConville.

    Gerry Adams was welcomed with a loud and long ovation from the crowd and said that “the sham I was put through” sent the wrong signals about policing to the public, because the police ultimately did not present any evidence against him.

    He focused his comments primarily on the upcoming elections, where he said that Sinn Fein would not be diverted from “the job of building peace” and that the political organization had a responsibility “to bring genuine civil policing that will respect every man, woman and child.”

    After his release, Adams addressed reporters in a Belfast hotel about the allegations brought against him, saying, “I am innocent of any involvement in any conspiracy to abduct, kill or bury Mrs. McConville. I have worked hard with others to have this injustice redressed.”

    The arrest has galvanized people in the community, with protests held on both sides. According to Time Magazine, Adams’ release was delayed for two hours by angry loyalist protestors who attempted to physically block his release until police officers in riot gear escorted Adams out through an alternate exit.

    Furthermore, Sinn Fein politician and Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said his party may no longer be able to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland following the time Adams was in custody.

    Democratic Unionist Party First Minister Peter Robinson said that he plans to meet with the McConville family to see what can be done to help them. ““Whilst Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein have been playing the victim, it is important to remember that the real victims are the McConville family. Ten children were left orphaned and have never received justice. This was a horrific and brutal crime.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Gerry Adams Released, Criticizes His Arrest

    Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has been released from police custody following four days of questioning by Northern Ireland authorities. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had arrested Adams last Wednesday on suspicion of involvement with a 1972 murder.

    In a press conference following his release Adams criticized the PSNI, suggesting that the timing of his arrest may have had something to do with impending elections in Northern Ireland. Adams also stated that while he does not dissociate himself with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in the past, the era of the IRA is over.

    “The IRA is gone,” said Adams. “It’s finished.”

    Adams was arrested last week on suspicion of his involvement in the 1972 murder of Jean McConville. McConville, a woman living in Belfast, was kidnapped and murdered by the IRA for her suspected collusion with British forces. Her body was buried in County Louth. The murder was one of many on both sides of the Irish War of Independence, during which suspected informants were routinely murdered and buried in secret.

    In 1999 the IRA officially claimed responsibility for McConville’s murder. The group claimed to have found a transmitter in the woman’s home, a claim contested by Northern Ireland police.

    According to a BBC News report, 33 taped interviews with Adams were conducted during his four days in custody. The interviews and the McConville case have been sent to the Public Prosecution Service, but Adams’ release from police custody signals that there is not enough evidence to link the man to the McConville murder.

    Though Northern Ireland has largely seen peace for over a decade now, Adams’ arrest demonstrates just how much influence the IRA and other paramilitary organizations still have over Northern Ireland politics. As the leader of Sinn Fein, Adams has been instrumental to the peace process in Northern Ireland.

    Image via Sinn Fein