20.2.05
BreakingNews.ie
Adams: SF does not tolerate criminality
20/02/2005 - 16:18:37
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has made another defence of republicans today insisting they were not involved in the Northern Bank robbery or money laundering.
Hours after being named by the Government as a member of the IRA’s Army Council – though he has claimed for years he has never been in the terror group - he said republicans were not criminals.
“No republican worthy of the name can be involved in criminality of any kind. If any are they should be expelled from our ranks,” he said during an address in Strabane, Co Tyrone at a memorial service for three IRA men shot dead by the SAS 20 years ago.
Mr Adams added: “We are not involved in criminality and we will not tolerate such behaviour. Our opponents know that. But some of them can barely disguise their glee at the recent turn of events. There has been trial by media.”
A Sinn Féin member was arrested and released without charge "and the entire Sinn Féin party is condemned as criminal.
Money from the Northern Bank was found in the police sports club in Belfast “and this is reported as being an effort to embarrass British forces”, he added.
Mr Adams said the “campaign of vilification” was going to continue for some time, but there was no doubt that Sinn Féin would “weather this storm”.
Adams: SF does not tolerate criminality
20/02/2005 - 16:18:37
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has made another defence of republicans today insisting they were not involved in the Northern Bank robbery or money laundering.
Hours after being named by the Government as a member of the IRA’s Army Council – though he has claimed for years he has never been in the terror group - he said republicans were not criminals.
“No republican worthy of the name can be involved in criminality of any kind. If any are they should be expelled from our ranks,” he said during an address in Strabane, Co Tyrone at a memorial service for three IRA men shot dead by the SAS 20 years ago.
Mr Adams added: “We are not involved in criminality and we will not tolerate such behaviour. Our opponents know that. But some of them can barely disguise their glee at the recent turn of events. There has been trial by media.”
A Sinn Féin member was arrested and released without charge "and the entire Sinn Féin party is condemned as criminal.
Money from the Northern Bank was found in the police sports club in Belfast “and this is reported as being an effort to embarrass British forces”, he added.
Mr Adams said the “campaign of vilification” was going to continue for some time, but there was no doubt that Sinn Féin would “weather this storm”.
