IRA rape victim calls on Adams to resign

Rape victim Maíria Cahill has demanded Gerry Adams resign as head of Sinn Féin after he continued to brand her a liar, despite admitting republican vigilantes "investigated" cases of sexual assault.

Ms Cahill, 33, said Mr Adams’ acknowledgment of how IRA units “policed” nationalist areas of the North during the Troubles vindicated her claims that she was subjected to a “kangaroo court” by paramilitaries who forced her to confront her rapist.

The move came as Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he understood that “more cases” of alleged IRA and Sinn Féin “cover-ups” regarding sex crimes are set to come to light. In a fierce attack on the stance Sinn Féin has taken against Ms Cahill, Mr Kenny said their behaviour was “utterly despicable”.