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Sinn Fein clarify Liam Adams role Sinn Fein clarify Liam Adams role
(20 minutes later)
Liam Adams was still involved in party work more than three years after formally leaving, Sinn Fein has said.Liam Adams was still involved in party work more than three years after formally leaving, Sinn Fein has said.
He is facing allegations that he abused his daughter when she was a child.He is facing allegations that he abused his daughter when she was a child.
Mr Adams, brother of party president Gerry Adams was said to have left the party in 1997. However, a Sinn Fein statement said he held a number of positions in Belfast after 2000.Mr Adams, brother of party president Gerry Adams was said to have left the party in 1997. However, a Sinn Fein statement said he held a number of positions in Belfast after 2000.
Gerry Adams has been under pressure to explain his brother's role in the party since the allegations arose.Gerry Adams has been under pressure to explain his brother's role in the party since the allegations arose.
Incomplete documentation
In a statement on Friday, Sinn Fein said it had reviewed its documentation and held discussions with its members and leadership in a bid to establish the extent of Liam Adams involvement in the party in the aftermath of the revelations.In a statement on Friday, Sinn Fein said it had reviewed its documentation and held discussions with its members and leadership in a bid to establish the extent of Liam Adams involvement in the party in the aftermath of the revelations.
It said the process had taken a number of weeks but added that information from a period in the 1990s was "not complete".It said the process had taken a number of weeks but added that information from a period in the 1990s was "not complete".
"We have established that Louth Sinn Fein and the national party leadership, apart from Gerry Adams, was unaware of the allegation against Liam Adams," the statement said."We have established that Louth Sinn Fein and the national party leadership, apart from Gerry Adams, was unaware of the allegation against Liam Adams," the statement said.
Gerry Adams has previously confirmed that he found out in 1987 about allegations made by his niece that she had been sexually abused by Liam Adams while she was a young child.Gerry Adams has previously confirmed that he found out in 1987 about allegations made by his niece that she had been sexually abused by Liam Adams while she was a young child.
The Sinn Fein president said that he "moved" to expel Liam Adams from the party ten years later, when he found out that his brother was seeking to run as a candidate for his party in the Irish parliamentary elections.The Sinn Fein president said that he "moved" to expel Liam Adams from the party ten years later, when he found out that his brother was seeking to run as a candidate for his party in the Irish parliamentary elections.
Party 'not involved'
In Friday's statement, Sinn Fein also confirmed that Liam Adams served as chair of the party's Louth district executive for two and a half months in 1996.In Friday's statement, Sinn Fein also confirmed that Liam Adams served as chair of the party's Louth district executive for two and a half months in 1996.
In addition they said he held the position of secretary for one month before this time. He was also nominated as education officer but he did not take up this position.In addition they said he held the position of secretary for one month before this time. He was also nominated as education officer but he did not take up this position.
Sinn Fein said that when their president "moved to ensure that Liam Adams did not go forward as a candidate" in 1997, he did so "without involving the party locally or nationally".
"After this time Liam Adams continued to mix in republican circles and attend some republican events. From 2000 and for a number of years he involved himself in localised party work in Belfast.
Unaware of allegations
"Liam Adams did not re-apply to join the party as would be required by party procedures. He held a number of positions in a cumann in Lower Andersonstown, including chair for a short period before the cumann dissolved.
"The local organisation was unaware of the allegation against Liam Adams and the circumstances of his departure from Sinn Féin in Louth. Clearly his admission to the party in Belfast should have been avoided," the statement said.
When the allegations about Liam Adams first appeared in in UTV documentary late last year, Arthur Morgan, a Sinn Fein member of the Irish parliament for Louth, said Mr Adams had never been a party officer.When the allegations about Liam Adams first appeared in in UTV documentary late last year, Arthur Morgan, a Sinn Fein member of the Irish parliament for Louth, said Mr Adams had never been a party officer.
This week Mr Morgan said Mr Adams true role had "slipped his mind".This week Mr Morgan said Mr Adams true role had "slipped his mind".
During the years 1998 to 2006, Liam Adams held various positions as a youth worker in a number of organisations in west Belfast.During the years 1998 to 2006, Liam Adams held various positions as a youth worker in a number of organisations in west Belfast.