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Trump attended fundraiser for Sinn Féin before London terror attack Trump attended fundraiser for Sinn Féin before London terror attack
(34 minutes later)
Donald Trump attended a Sinn Féin fundraising dinner in New York just months before the party’s allies in the Provisional IRA ended its ceasefire with a massive terror attack in London’s Canary Wharf district.Donald Trump attended a Sinn Féin fundraising dinner in New York just months before the party’s allies in the Provisional IRA ended its ceasefire with a massive terror attack in London’s Canary Wharf district.
As controversy rages over the Republican presidential candidate’s demand that Muslims be barred from the United States to prevent Islamist terror attacks, footage has emerged of the tycoon shaking hands with Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams.As controversy rages over the Republican presidential candidate’s demand that Muslims be barred from the United States to prevent Islamist terror attacks, footage has emerged of the tycoon shaking hands with Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams.
For decades Sinn Féin and the IRA were the political and military wings of the Irish republican movement, and the party was frequently accused of being apologists for terror. For decades, Sinn Féin and the IRA were the political and military wings of the Irish republican movement, and the party was frequently accused of being an apologist for terror.
Trump and Adams met in the Essex Hotel in Manhattan in November 1995 at an event organised by the US-based Friends of Sinn Fein.Trump and Adams met in the Essex Hotel in Manhattan in November 1995 at an event organised by the US-based Friends of Sinn Fein.
Related: Donald Trump's Muslim ban proposal throws Republican party into chaosRelated: Donald Trump's Muslim ban proposal throws Republican party into chaos
Guests including Trump – currently the frontrunner in the race to become Republican candidate – were charged a $200 entry fee to hear Adams speak about the Irish peace process. Guests, including Trump – currently the frontrunner in the race to become Republican presidential nominee – were charged a $200 entry fee to hear Adams speak about the Irish peace process.
But less than four months later the PIRA ended its ceasefire with a huge bomb in London’s Docklands on 9 February 1996. Two men working in a nearby newsagents were killed in the massive explosion, which caused £1000m in damage to the Canary Wharf/South Quay district.But less than four months later the PIRA ended its ceasefire with a huge bomb in London’s Docklands on 9 February 1996. Two men working in a nearby newsagents were killed in the massive explosion, which caused £1000m in damage to the Canary Wharf/South Quay district.
On his way to the New York fundraiser a few months earlier Trump wouldhave seen a group of demonstrators protesting ongoing IRA violence, including victims of the 1993 Shankill bomb massacre in which 10 people died. On his way to the New York fundraiser a few months earlier, Trump wouldhave seen a group of demonstrators protesting ongoing IRA violence, including victims of the 1993 Shankill bomb massacre in which 10 people died.
There were also protests from the relatives of Catholics who had been shot, beaten and exiled by the IRA even after the organisation declared its first ceasefire on 31 August 1994.There were also protests from the relatives of Catholics who had been shot, beaten and exiled by the IRA even after the organisation declared its first ceasefire on 31 August 1994.
On the steps of the hotel Alan McBride, whose wife was killed in the Shankill Road bomb, said: “He justifies the existence of the Provos, of Sinn Fein, of the IRA, claiming that they were fighting for a just and lasting peace. Well I’m sorry but I don’t see how my wife’s murder helped IRA/Sinn Fein achieve peace. It’s hypocrisy. Gerry Adams is a hypocrite.” On the steps of the hotel, Alan McBride, whose wife was killed in the Shankill Road bomb, said: “He justifies the existence of the Provos, of Sinn Féin, of the IRA, claiming that they were fighting for a just and lasting peace. Well, I’m sorry, but I don’t see how my wife’s murder helped IRA/Sinn Féin achieve peace. It’s hypocrisy. Gerry Adams is a hypocrite.”
As well as paying the $200 entry fee, business leaders and other donors including a number of US celebrities were asked to give donations to Friends of Sinn Fein. As well as paying the $200 entry fee, business leaders and other donors, including a number of US celebrities, were asked to give donations to Friends of Sinn Féin.
During his speech, Gerry Adams even joked about Sinn Fein playing the “Trump Card” from a podium close to where the US Republican presidential hopeful sat. During his speech, Gerry Adams even joked about Sinn Féin playing the “Trump card” from a podium close to where the businessman sat.
A spokesman for Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.A spokesman for Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.