Adams slams 'intelligence' over reporter detention

Gerry Adams today welcomed the release of Seán Ó Muireagáin but said British intelligence and journalists had questions to answer about reports following his arrest at the weekend in Israel.

The Sinn Fein leader said: “His arrest and detention was wrong and unjust and should never have happened in the first place.

“The wrong perpetrated on Seán Ó Muireagáin was further exacerbated by the petty and vindictive detention last night by British police at London airport.

“I am greatly concerned at a number of elements in this case. The role of British intelligence in the arrest and the subsequent role of sections of the media in reporting the usual British security source briefings as fact needs to be further investigated.

“These briefings were the latest in a long line of malicious and false briefings fed to the media by elements of British intelligence in an attempt to undermine further the peace process.”