Sinn Féin employees paid €500 a week

GERRY ADAMS and all other Sinn Féin employees receive just €500 a week before tax with additional earnings going directly into the party's finances.

Sinn Féin's accounts released yesterday in a bid to quell speculation on the sources of the party's finances also reveal the party's comprehensive network of constituency offices is almost entirely reliant on volunteers.

In recent weeks, Justice Minister Michael McDowell has made and defended accusations about Sinn Féin being funded from the criminal activities of the IRA.