Gerry Adams has refuted claims that Sinn Féin “is holding back information” in relation to cases of sexual abuse. Mr Adams also rejected allegations that the party has investigated cases of sexual abuse.
In a statement released this evening, the Sinn Féin president said the party “strongly refutes a claim that was made in the Dáil today and in some sections of the media, that the party has investigated cases of sexual abuse."
“This is untrue. It would be totally inappropriate and could jeopardise a successful prosecution,” he added.
Mr Adams said he wants “all of these issues dealt with” while saying he refutes “the claim that Sinn Féin is holding back information” in relation to cases of sexual abuse.
“There is no rationale or logic to this. I want all of these issues dealt with. If individuals have information they should bring it forward,” he said.
Gerry Adams has rejected claims his party is holding back information on sexual abuse cases Image: Photocall Ireland
Kenny and Martin demand answers
The Taoiseach has asked Adams to reveal who was present in the ‘kangaroo court’ McGahon was subjected to, while Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin, who said the Louth TD has to be held accountable for his failure to inform authorities of the case.
“He knew since 2009, on his own admission, that there was a rapist at large in another jurisdiction who could visit abuse on others and did nothing about it,” Martin said of Adams.
“That is something he needs to respond to and respond fairly comprehensively to,” Martin said.
McGahon abuser named on anonymous list
In the BBC Spotlight documentary, broadcast this week, which revealed Paudie Mcgahon’s story, Adams said he had received a list of alleged sex abuser anonymously, through the post box of his Belfast home. Paudie McGahon has said he finds this hard to believe, as Mr Adams’s Belfast home is a ‘fortress’.
This evening Adams has said that although he did not realise it at the time, the name of McGahon’s abuser was on that list.
“Last November I asked anyone with information regarding abuse to bring that forward and I offered to pass that information on to the relevant authorities. I received a number of names anonymously,” Adams said.
“While I was unaware of the name of Paudie McGahon’s alleged abuser it now turns out his name was on that list.”
Image: Paudie McGahon. Gerry Adams says he anonymously received a list of abusers' names in November 2014, and McGahon's alleged rapist's name was on the list Image: BBC Spotlight
Sinn Féin's "priority is to support the victim"
Mr Adams went on to say his party’s “priority”, in both historical and contemporary cases of abuse, “is to support the victim”.
Paudie McGahon spoke to Pat Kenny this morning, to discuss what has happened since the Spotlight programme aired.
"The last few days have been tough, draining, emotional on many fronts. It's a great thing in a way to get so much lifted off your shoulders but at the same it's hard on my wife and my children,” he told Pat.
Listen to the Paudie McGahon interview in its entirety here
Mary Lou McDonald (above) today discussed the case with Pat Kenny Image: Photocall Ireland
Also on The Pat Kenny Show, Sinn Féin Deputy Leader responded to the Paudie McGahon case at length, telling Pat Kennt that, although she was Ard Chomhairle of the party at the time the case was raised with party members, in 2002, and later became known to a TD in 2008, she was not aware of the allegations.
Listen to the Mary Lou McDonald interview in its entirety here
Sinn Féin Senator David Cullinane spoke to Lunchtime about the Sinn Féin response to the issue, saying that the party have robust guidelines on how to deal with allegations of abuse.
Listen to the interview with David Cullinane in its entirety here
'What if this was a bishop?'
And on Breakfast this morning, Chris and Ivan discussed the situation, asking if, removing all politics, we were to imagine this case as one involving a victim of abuse, a priest he informed of his abuse, and a bishop who did not report the incident to gardai? What would the reaction be then?
