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SF suspend member on abuse claim SF suspend member on abuse claim
(20 minutes later)
A member of Sinn Fein has been suspended from the party over allegations of child abuse.A member of Sinn Fein has been suspended from the party over allegations of child abuse.
The Sunday Tribune newspaper carried a report from a woman who claimed she was abused when she was 10 years old.The Sunday Tribune newspaper carried a report from a woman who claimed she was abused when she was 10 years old.
Sinn Fein confirmed that a member had been suspended without prejudice from party membership and activities.Sinn Fein confirmed that a member had been suspended without prejudice from party membership and activities.
The Tribune also featured an interview with another woman who claimed she had been repeatedly raped by a prominent IRA man in west Belfast.The Tribune also featured an interview with another woman who claimed she had been repeatedly raped by a prominent IRA man in west Belfast.
In the interview, the young woman claimed she had been brought face to face with the man and that the IRA had offered her a counsellor.In the interview, the young woman claimed she had been brought face to face with the man and that the IRA had offered her a counsellor.
She said she believed this would be a charade, as it would be an IRA-friendly counsellor.She said she believed this would be a charade, as it would be an IRA-friendly counsellor.
She claimed the man had been put under house arrest but she was later told he had "escaped". She believed that he was helped to move to Donegal.She claimed the man had been put under house arrest but she was later told he had "escaped". She believed that he was helped to move to Donegal.
A spokesman for Sinn Fein said the party refuted any allegation of a "cover up" by the party.A spokesman for Sinn Fein said the party refuted any allegation of a "cover up" by the party.
"Our position on these matters is crystal clear. At all times the welfare of children is paramount. The people who should investigate allegations of abuse are the statutory authorities charged with this task - the PSNI/Gardai and the Social Services."Our position on these matters is crystal clear. At all times the welfare of children is paramount. The people who should investigate allegations of abuse are the statutory authorities charged with this task - the PSNI/Gardai and the Social Services.
"If an allegation of sexual abuse is made against a Sinn Fein member, the party ensures that the matter is reported to the relevant statutory authorities."If an allegation of sexual abuse is made against a Sinn Fein member, the party ensures that the matter is reported to the relevant statutory authorities.
"The member is suspended from the party without prejudice. This is in contrast to other political parties which have allowed members against whom allegations are being made to remain politically active until the completion of the legal process."The member is suspended from the party without prejudice. This is in contrast to other political parties which have allowed members against whom allegations are being made to remain politically active until the completion of the legal process.
The Sinn Fein president's brother Liam Adams is facing sex abuse allegations
"A Sinn Fein representative is suspended without prejudice from party membership and all party activities. including work as a public representative.""A Sinn Fein representative is suspended without prejudice from party membership and all party activities. including work as a public representative."
He said the suspension of the party member was activated after the police began their investigation into "an allegation of historic abuse".He said the suspension of the party member was activated after the police began their investigation into "an allegation of historic abuse".
"This suspension was activated after the PSNI commenced an investigation into an allegation of historic abuse," a spokesman said. The fresh allegations have put further pressure on Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams who is already facing tough questions over his handling of sex charges against his brother.
"It is not the job of Sinn Fein to establish guilt or innocence and we will await the outcome of the police investigation." Liam Adams faces allegations that he abused his daughter and was forced from the party in County Louth in 1997.
But it has emerged he held a number of positions elsewhere after 2000.
Gerry Adams has been forced to defend claims he did not do enough to inform the authorities when he found out his estranged brother was working in youth groups in west Belfast and the Irish Republic over the last 15 years.
He was also forced to explain how he did not know his brother worked for Sinn Fein in his own parliamentary constituency.
Mr Adams said his political opponents were using the issue in an attempt to undermine him.
He said he also felt constrained from fully defending himself by a need to protect the privacy of family members and by a desire not to prejudice any future court proceedings against his brother.
The Tribune claimed that Mr Adams had been aware of the latest allegations from the two women but had not acted.
But the Sinn Fein spokesman categorically denied that and said the party was considering legal action against the newspaper for allegations "founded on innuendo and sensationalism and not facts".
"Gerry Adams and the party refute absolutely any allegation of covering up instances of abuse," he said.