Claims in Dail that Gerry Adams ‘led probe that found over 100 victims of Sinn Féin/IRA abuse’

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams led an investigation which identified more than 100 victims of physical or sexual abuse at the hands of Sinn Féin or IRA members, it was claimed in the Dáil.

Fine Gael TD, Regina Doherty, challenged Mr Adams to reveal what that alleged investigation uncovered and whether its findings were passed on to the relevant authorities.

The Meath TD was speaking during a three and a half hour Dáil debate on the handling of sex abuse allegations within the republican movement, prompted by claims by Maíria Cahill, that she raped by an IRA member at the age of 16 and subjected to a “kangaroo court”.

Mr Adams said the debate was decided on a “whim” by the Government parties and Fianna Fáil for electoral purposes.

He strongly denied claims by the Taoiseach that he or his party were involved in moving sex abusers across the border, and accused other parties of abandoning due process to make this charge against him.

Enda Kenny said the IRA had “covered up abuse, moved the perpetrators around so the untouchables would remain untouchable”. He challenged Mr Adams to reveal “who these men are” and “what they have done since they arrived among us in their banishment.”

Mr Adams said there was “no evidence what so ever to corroborate those claims, they are untrue”.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said he understands there are as many as 28 victims of abuse by members of the IRA discussing how to have the truth of what happened to them acknowledged.

He called for the establishment of a “legally empowered, independent inquiry” to examine the issue of abuse allegations and how they were handled within the republican movement.