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Liam Adams rilasciato su cauzione

Adams’ brother released on bail

The brother of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has denied allegations he sexually abused his daughter.

Liam AdamsLiam Dominic Adams was freed on bail after he appeared before Dublin’s High Court when he handed himself over to Irish authorities.

The 54-year-old, who is wanted in Northern Ireland on suspicion of assaulting Aine Tyrell, told gardai he left the jurisdiction because he was concerned he would not get a fair trial.

Detective Sergeant Jim Kirwan told the judge that Mr Adams faced a number of serious charges, including one charge of rape – which carries a maximum penalty of a life in prison in the north.

He said when arrested Mr Adams replied: “I just want to say I’m not guilty of that.”

A European Arrest Warrant from the PSNI relating to 18 offences from March 1977 to March 1983 was sanctioned at the High Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Adams denied he fled Northern Ireland about a year ago to escape prosecution.

He told Remy Farrell, barrister for the State, that he had previously been to Grosvenor Road PSNI station in West Belfast voluntarily, Sligo Garda Station voluntarily, and that he had came to court voluntarily.

“I left Northern Ireland because my children and us were in danger because of the Sunday World. That’s why I left,” he told the court.

“The media have treated my family in a disgraceful way, an absolute disgrace and I’m letting them know.”

Mr Adams said he’d love to go home “but not under these circumstances”.

The republican earlier handed himself at the Bridewell Garda Station by appointment where the arrest warrant was executed.

Det Sgt Kirwan said the suspect confirmed his identification and that he agreed he was the man in two photographs and that he had at an address in Belfast.

He was brought before the President of the High Court Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns where he was supported by his friend Sean Rooney and daughter Claire Smith – who both guaranteed his bail on bonds of 7,500 euro each.

Strict bail conditions include signing on at a garda station daily, surrendering his passport and giving gardai his address and mobile telephone number.

The case will be heard next Wednesday in Dublin’s High Court.

‘Overdue’

Earlier Gerry Adams reacted to the issuing of the European arrest warrant for his brother.

Speaking in west Belfast on Thursday morning, the Sinn Fein President welcomed the development but said it was long overdue.

“I’ve had no contact with my brother and I’m disappointed it took so long for the warrant to be issued.

“It will become a matter for the courts, that’s where it should go.”

Mr Adams said he was hopeful that this would help bring resolution: “It has taken an inordinately long to process this warrant.

“Now that it appears to be ready to be served the whole matter – deeply troubling issues – will become a matter for the courts and my hope is that this will bring the type of closure that is required.”

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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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