Adams defends ‘laissez-faire’ comments over RUC deaths

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams yesterday refused to withdraw his comments on the murder of RUC officers Harry Breen and Bob Buchanan saying it was nonsense to suggest he blamed the policemen for their own deaths.

Following the findings of the Smithwick Tribunal, Mr Adams was criticised for saying the RUC men thought they were immune from attack and had “a laissez-faire disregard for their own security”. He later said the IRA gunmen were “brave” and said it was their duty to kill the unarmed officers.

The families of the dead men said they were “appalled” by the comments while Justice Minister Alan Shatter described them as “nauseating”.