Minister’s smears are ‘breaching code of conduct’

Sinn Féin has accused Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald of abusing her position and breaching “the code of conduct for office holders” by making “smears of illegality” over the escalating provisional IRA criminality allegations.

The party made the claim after the Fine Gael cabinet member announced a fresh review of the outlawed paramilitary group, which was officially disbanded a decade ago.

In a statement on behalf of his party amid growing calls for Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams to cut his holidays short to face questions over the scandal, backbench TD Brian Stanley said the justice minister has “abused her position” by taking part in a “silly season” political attack over two murders.