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Unionists condemn Gerry Adams use of swear word Gerry Adams: Unionists condemn use of swear word
(about 7 hours later)
Unionists have strongly criticised the Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams after he used offensive language at a public meeting in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, on Monday night.Unionists have strongly criticised the Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams after he used offensive language at a public meeting in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, on Monday night.
Both the DUP and the Ulster Unionists have made it clear they believe Mr Adams was insulting all unionists.Both the DUP and the Ulster Unionists have made it clear they believe Mr Adams was insulting all unionists.
The Sinn Fein president has maintained that he was talking only about bigots and racists.The Sinn Fein president has maintained that he was talking only about bigots and racists.
Mr Adams used the phrase "the point is to break these b******s".Mr Adams used the phrase "the point is to break these b******s".
Audio of the comments containing the swear word was tweeted by Impartial Reporter journalist Rodney Edwards.Audio of the comments containing the swear word was tweeted by Impartial Reporter journalist Rodney Edwards.
Mr Adams was apparently answering a question about Sinn Féin's relationship with the DUP in the light of Gregory Campbell's disparaging comments about the Irish language.Mr Adams was apparently answering a question about Sinn Féin's relationship with the DUP in the light of Gregory Campbell's disparaging comments about the Irish language.
Mr Adams said he was often asked by republicans "what's the point?"Mr Adams said he was often asked by republicans "what's the point?"
"They weren't blaming Sinn Fein - in fact they were making the point that Sinn Fein were doing their best," he said."They weren't blaming Sinn Fein - in fact they were making the point that Sinn Fein were doing their best," he said.
"But what's the point? The point is to actually break these b******s - that's the point. And what's going to break them is equality. That's what's going to break them - equality."But what's the point? The point is to actually break these b******s - that's the point. And what's going to break them is equality. That's what's going to break them - equality.
"Who could be afraid of equality? Who could be afraid of treating somebody the way you want to be treated."Who could be afraid of equality? Who could be afraid of treating somebody the way you want to be treated.
"That's what we need to keep the focus on - that's the Trojan horse of the entire republican strategy is to rejoin the people on the basis of equality.""That's what we need to keep the focus on - that's the Trojan horse of the entire republican strategy is to rejoin the people on the basis of equality."
'Foul-mouthed abuse''Foul-mouthed abuse'
The DUP's Arlene Foster said Gerry Adams' "foul mouthed abuse had been disrespectful to an entire community".The DUP's Arlene Foster said Gerry Adams' "foul mouthed abuse had been disrespectful to an entire community".
"Respect is a two-way street. The hyperbole from republicans over recent days has been exposed as hypocrisy," she said."Respect is a two-way street. The hyperbole from republicans over recent days has been exposed as hypocrisy," she said.
"Republicans use the Irish language as a weapon and tonight Gerry Adams confirms that they view equality as another weapon to attack unionists, or these b******s as he would term us.""Republicans use the Irish language as a weapon and tonight Gerry Adams confirms that they view equality as another weapon to attack unionists, or these b******s as he would term us."
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt described it as "shocking to the point of nausea".Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt described it as "shocking to the point of nausea".
"The most shocking revelation is that he considers equality as a 'Trojan horse'," he said."The most shocking revelation is that he considers equality as a 'Trojan horse'," he said.
"The audio recording makes clear Gerry Adams thinks equality is nothing more than a tool to be used to manipulate people like me.""The audio recording makes clear Gerry Adams thinks equality is nothing more than a tool to be used to manipulate people like me."
On Twitter, Gerry Adams said "Mea Culpa" acknowledging he was at fault, but insisted he had been talking about "bigots, racists and homophobes".On Twitter, Gerry Adams said "Mea Culpa" acknowledging he was at fault, but insisted he had been talking about "bigots, racists and homophobes".