IRA failed sex abuse victims, says Adams

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has admitted the IRA "failed" sex abuse victims as the controversy over Mairia Cahill’s rape allegations continued to convulse the party.

Writing in a blog, Mr Adams denied allegations by Ms Cahill that he and Sinn Féin had colluded in a cover-up regarding her claims that she was subjected to an IRA “kangaroo court” in which she was forced to meet her rapist, but the Sinn Féin leader acknowledged past “mistakes”.

Ms Cahill responded to the intervention by tweeting: “Re Gerry Adams emergency blog ... some admittance after denying all week. Still shameful denial of my experiences.”