Adams: Mediterranean deaths akin to Irish ‘coffin ships’

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has claimed the “horrific” deaths of more than 950 people off the coast of Italy on Sunday is the “direct result of Europe’s colonial record” for generations.

The opposition figure made the allegation in the Dáil, claiming Ireland has an obligation to help illegal immigrants if they come from war-torn regions where western nations have “interfered”.

Speaking during the leaders questions debate, the Louth TD said that, since the start of this year, 1,500 people had drowned in the Mediterranean, a massive multiple of the number of victims for the same period in 2014.