Gerry Adams has said he stands by his comments jailed tax evader Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy is a good Republican but does not plan to visit him in prison.

Gerry Adams is under pressure to distance himself from prominent republican Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy, who was convicted of tax evasion yesterday.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has refused to withdraw his support for former Provisional IRA leader, Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy, who was yesterday convicted of tax evasion.