SF suspends councillor accused of child abuse

SINN FÉIN has suspended a Northern borough councillor following allegations that she physically and sexually abused children.

Although the party has claimed it suspended the councillor some months ago, the public admission only followed disclosures of the child abuse allegations at the weekend.

The woman is well known in republican circles and was married to one of the most powerful figures in the Belfast IRA of the 1970s and ’80s.