Politics

Adams comments at US fundraiser defended

SF leader claimed Independent Newspapers opposed his party’s peacebuilding efforts

Mr Adams made his comments at $500-a-head New York City fundraiser. File photograph; Dara Mac Donaill/The Irish Times
Mr Adams made his comments at $500-a-head New York City fundraiser. File photograph; Dara Mac Donaill/The Irish Times
Aine McMahon
Sat Nov 08 2014 - 16:24

Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald has defended a claim made by Gerry Adams this week that Independent Newspapers opposed his party's peace-building efforts.

"The Independent Group of Newspapers opposed (Sinn Féin) efforts at building peace 20 years ago, and continues to attack us today," Mr Adams told a Sinn Féin fundraiser in New York.

Mr Adams referred to the Irish Independent's call for the leaders of the 1916 Rising to be executed and described how Michael Collins dealt with a critical press.

“He went in, sent volunteers in, to the offices, held the editor at gunpoint, and destroyed the entire printing press. That’s what he did. Now I can just see the headline in the Independent tomorrow, I’m obviously not advocating that,” he told American donors at the Friends of Sinn Féin fundraiser in New York City.

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Speaking at an event in Dublin earlier today, Ms McDonald defended Mr Adams’ remarks.

“I believe quite correctly (Mr Adams) was scathingly critical of Independent Newspaper and little wonder that he would be. I think any objective assessment of the editorial line or standard or should I say sub-standard of journalism, particularly within Sunday Independent would explain why Gerry made those comments,” she said.

“I understand that he referred back to Michael Collins who was the person in question who had the confrontation with the editor of the Irish Independent. I think he was making it clear that he was not suggesting an appropriate course of action now,” she said.

“If you are going to be relentlessly abusive of elected representatives of Sinn Féin or abusive of people who vote or support Sinn Féin then you shouldn’t be so sensitive when people criticise you back.”

“He was referencing a turn of events many, many moons ago that Michael Collins, an Irish patriot took that particular action. It was a comment as simple as that, it certainly does not constitute a threat in any shape or form,” she said.

Responding to a Sunday Independent reporter she said: “True to your style you’re seizing on this because God knows you have to have some negative story to put in your paper on Sunday either about Gerry or somebody else in Sinn Féin.”