Sinn Féin rubbishes Fine Gael TD’s remarks

Sinn Féin’s child protection officer has claimed a backbench Government TD is only raising concerns over the alleged cover-up of rapes by the Provisional IRA to improve her chances in the next general election.

Meath-based councillor Joe Reilly made the remarks on Twitter a week after party colleague Francie Molloy MP was forced to apologise for describing alleged victim Paudie McGahon’s claims as “rubbish” on the same social media site.

Responding to allegations by Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty that Sinn Féin had held a secret investigation into the scandal in 2006, Mr Reilly said the remarks were only made because her seat was under threat.