Adams defends ‘laissez-faire’ comments over RUC 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”.