‘Acquaintance’ of Adams built a firetrap: Taoiseach

THE builder behind Priory Hall was an “acquaintance” of Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and had built a “firetrap”, the Taoiseach yesterday told the Dáil.

Sinn Féin TDs demanded an apology when Enda Kenny took a swipe at the party’s connections with Thomas McFeely — the former IRA hunger striker, turned property developer behind the unsafe apartments. After residents had to spend another night in a hotel, the Taoiseach said Mr McFeely had “blatantly flouted the planning regulations to build a firetrap”.

He said: “Three hundred people are staying in a hotel tonight because they were moved out of a firetrap by court order.”

Mr Kenny was hitting back at Mr Adams who was asking about job losses during leaders’ questions time.

“The deputy stands for jobs, or so he says,” the Taoiseach said. “There are 300 people from the Priory Hall apartments, built by an acquaintance of the deputy, who are staying in a hotel at present.”

Derry-born Mr McFeely served 13 years in jail, twice going on hunger strike. On sentencing in 1976 the judge said he was “extremely dangerous, intelligent and vicious”.

He had previously served a prison term in Portlaoise prison but escaped in 1974. On his release in 1989 he went to Dublin and worked on building sites. He made his fortune in land deals and property developments.

Mr Adams said the Taoiseach’s comments amounted to defamation and should be withdrawn. He said Mr Kenny was a “disgrace”. He denied claims links to Mr McFeely.

Mr Adams, however, did not go as far as Sinn Féin colleague Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin who said Mr McFeely “should face the full rigours of the law”.

Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett said Mr Kenny was making a political charge which was “permissible” during Dáil exchanges.