Sinn Féin's Social Protection spokesperson claims there has been a long standing campaign against his party's leader and the recent controversy surrounding Maíria Cahill may be part of it.

Ms Cahill claims the IRA covered up and failed to report her alleged rape and sexual assault by a leading republican.

The Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has denied Ms Cahill named her rapist during any meeting she had with him and he also says she didn't speak with him about the alleged sexual assault.

The party's deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald has said she believed the abuse happened but does not support the claims that her party covered it up.

Yesterday it was confirmed that Taoiseach Enda Kenny is happy to meet with Ms Cahill.

Sinn Féin deputy Aengus O'Snodaigh is defending his leader - accusing other TDs of using the issue to score political points:

Sinn Féin Councillor in Dublin South Central, Daithi Doolan, says that this is an issue for the gardaí or the PSNI and not one for his party:

Originally posted at 9:40am