Sinn Féin hits back at Ahern’s criticism

Harry McGee and Donal Hickey

The party’s chief negotiator Martin McGuinness yesterday rejected, in strong terms, weekend comments by the Taoiseach that Sinn Féin were involved in negotiations with him at a time they knew the Northern Bank robbery was being planned by the IRA.

Mr McGuinness said: “For almost a decade we have worked closely with Bertie Ahern, as leader of Fianna Fáil and as Taoiseach. We have done so with honesty and in a straightforward manner, at all times, including when things were difficult. I reject outright accusations of double-dealing and dishonesty and stand on our record.”