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Gerry Adams: “Membri IRA? Non erano criminali”

People who were in the IRA not criminals, says Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams

Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has said he does not believe people who were in the IRA are criminals.

His comments were defended by party TDs, including former IRA member Martin Ferris, who said he did not deem any of his actions as criminal while he was a member of the organisation.

Mr Adams again defended convicted tax evader Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy yesterday, going further by saying Murphy and others could not be deemed a criminal for involvement in the IRA.

Mr Adams said: “I don’t believe that people who were involved in the IRA, if he was involved in the IRA, are criminals.”

Sinn Féin justice spokesman Padraig Mac Lochlainn said he did not deem those who were involved in the Troubles as criminals.

“I would agree that when the conflict was taking place in the North, during those decades, it was my view that people who were convicted of IRA offences, I don’t regard them as criminals,” he said.

“What I am clear about in the year 2015 [is that] the IRA have left the scene, they have gone. There are people out there who may have been members of the IRA who are involved in criminal activities to line their pockets and I have no ambiguity in saying that they should be pursued.

“It is the right of agencies of the State to pursue those people.

“But when it comes to a matter of prosecution I don’t think people should be brought before the Special Criminal Court,” said Mr Mac Lochlainn, adding that it is a basic human right to be tried in front of your peers.

Mr Ferris agreed with Mr Adams’ comments and said: “Did the IRA see themselves as criminals? Absolutely not.

“As a former IRA man, my actions with the IRA were motivated politically.

“We would want to make it very clear that anyone who breaks the law is entitled to be held accountable by the law, and is also entitled to equality before the law.

“In relation to the conflict in the six counties, as a former IRA person who was part of that conflict, I did not view any of my actions in relation to that conflict as criminal actions.”

Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald has backed Mr Adams this week, agreeing that Murphy is a “good republican”.

Mr Adams yesterday reiterated his belief that Murphy should not have been tried in the Special Criminal Court.

“My issue is against the Special Criminal Court and the Offences against the State Act, and the fact that that court was used to deal with a case that was about a failure, allegedly, which Tom Murphy contests, to make tax returns,” said Mr Adams.

“The Special Criminal Court is not the agency for dealing with issues such as those that have been alleged against Tom Murphy.”

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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