Adams says IRA allegations against him 'deeply hurtful'

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has described as “deeply hurtful” allegations levelled against him by former IRA prisoner Dolours Price.

Ms Price claimed Mr Adams sanctioned the 1973 Old Bailey bombing, in which one man died and more than 200 people were injured, in an interview with last week’s Sunday Telegraph.

Mr Adams yesterday described as “untrue” and “false” Ms Price’s allegations.

“What she says is deeply hurtful to me and I’ve a family as well. They’re very, very serious allegations. These aren’t just trite across the floor of the chamber nonsense. These are deeply serious and hurtful comments that she has made.”

Asked why he did not attempt to take legal action against Ms Price, Mr Adams said: “Because I don’t have the money.”

He said it was reprehensible that the Taoiseach should use Ms Price’s allegation in response to an unrelated question from Sinn Féin’s deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald about the row over the siting of primary care centres. “I think he diminishes his office,” he said.