Adams not deterred by ‘nonsense’ threat
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams described a loyalist death threat against him as “nonsense” and said he won’t let it get in the way of his work.
The Louth TD was warned by police that he is facing a death threat from the UFF.
The 65-year-old revealed on his Twitter social network account on Saturday that the PSNI had informed him of a threat made against his life and to those within the Sinn Féin leadership.
Speaking to UTV Mr Adams said he wouldn’t let the threat deter him.
He told UTV: “You have to take all these threats seriously. At the same time you can’t let them stop you from doing your work.
“You register it, you take your precautions, but you don’t let it stop you.”
Just been told by PSNI of death threat against me & SF leadership by someone claiming 2 speak 4 UFF.
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) November 29, 2014
He added: “There is a bit of flux within loyalism and unionism. There is a lot of sectarianism and bigotry about.
“And there are also some very, very decent people within loyalism and within some of those paramilitaries who are trying to get former combatants involved in politics and trying to develop community politics.
“And I would very much encourage that.
“I don’t think whoever made this threat really represents grassroots loyalism.”
This is not the first time the veteran politician has had his life threatened.
He added: “My home has been bombed, I’ve been shot, there have been a number of murder bids on me.
“Unfortunately it comes with the territory.
“Threats, intimidation and violence should have no part whatsoever in our political dispensation.
“But unfortunately there are some people out there.”
Mr Adams said progress could only be achieved through democratic and peaceful means.
He added: “The IRA campaign is over, it’s done.
“There is now a democratic and peaceful way to argue for unionism or to argue for republicanism or nationalism.
“And what’s important is that those working class people within loyalism and unionism are not being given proper leadership.
“That’s why I would very actively encourage people from grassroots to take control to empower themselves and develop decent politics as opposed to this type of nonsense.”
A police spokeswoman added: “We do not discuss the security of any individual, however, if we believe someone may need to review their security we take appropriate steps and inform them immediately.
“We would never ignore information that could put a person at risk.”
The threat comes after Mr Adams was forced to apologise for using offensive language to describe some unionists during a public meeting.
Former West Belfast MP Adams apologised for using the swear word, but insisted his comments were aimed at bigots.
The 65-year-old also caused anger among unionists when he described equality as the “Trojan horse” of the republican strategy.
In May, he was told there was a “credible” threat against his life after his release from police custody where he had been questioned about the murder of Belfast mother Jean McConville in 1972 and other alleged links to the IRA.
He blamed opponents of the peace process for the threat which was passed to members of his family while he was detained at Antrim police station for four days.
Mr Adams has always denied any wrongdoing and following his arrest was released without charge with a file being passed to the Public Prosecution Service.
