Adams not deflected by dissidents’ death threats

SINN FÉIN president Gerry Adams insisted last night he would not be diverted from the Northern peace process despite claims that his life was in danger from dissident republicans.

The West Belfast MP said police visited his home and warned his wife that he was being actively targeted. Mr Adams said he had to take the threat seriously, but he would not be intimidated.

“All I know is that I have a job of work to do, that I was elected to represent people, that I don’t intend to be intimidated from representing those who support our party, and that wider group of people who support the peace process,” he said. “Our focus remains exactly as it was.

“It’s unfortunate that this is part of life in this part of the island, but we have to get on with our business.”

Mr Adams, who was not at home when police called, said normal life must go on despite the existence of threats. “There’s no way that you can allow any of this to stop you from doing what you were elected to do.

“That is, in the first instance, to represent Sinn Féin and the people that elect me, but also to pursue the peace process, which we have been heavily involved in since its inception.

Mr Adams said that he had not taken any further steps to upgrade his security in the wake of the threat. “Republicans shouldn’t pay an awful lot of heed to this, we can take care of ourselves in terms of security,” he said. “The reality of it all is ‘let’s keep focused on the big picture’, which is to move this struggle forward, to move the peace process forward and not be deflected by anything.”

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said the force did not discuss the personal security of any individual.

Dissident republicans have stepped up their militant activities in the last year.

An alleged Real IRA spy ring was uncovered at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast last month when it was claimed the medical records of politicians, prison officers and police had been copied. Recent attempted van bomb attacks were foiled in Derry and Belfast.

Dissident republican prisoners are also engaging in a dirty protest by smearing excrement on their cell walls in Maghaberry Prison, the North’s main top-security jail, in an effort to gain segregation from loyalist prisoners.