Gerry Adams detained in US 'terror watch'

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams was detained at a Washington airport yesterday after attending a meeting of Irish leaders with US President George Bush, causing him to miss a scheduled St. Patrick’s Day appearance in Buffalo, a congressman said.

Adams’ name, and that of a travelling companion, appeared on a terror watch list at Reagan National Airport, triggering a lengthy inspection, said Congressman Brian Higgins, a New York Democrat who had invited Adams to speak at the Buffalo Irish Centre.

“When I spoke with his assistant a little while ago, their luggage was still being, let’s just say, inspected,” Higgins told a crowd of several hundred people awaiting Adams’ 7.15pm address.

Adams himself “was detained physically for over an hour,” Higgins said. He had had been booked on a 5.30pm flight from Washington to Buffalo.

“Gerry Adams should not have been on a terror watch list,” said Higgins, who quickly placed calls to State Department and other officials seeking an explanation.

Neither the White House nor the State Department immediately confirmed Adams’ detainment.

Earlier yesterday, Adams joined Bush and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern at a White House St. Patrick’s Day ceremony also attended by Mark Durkan, whose Social Democratic and Labour Party represents moderate Catholic opinion in Northern Island.

Bush last year barred all Northern Ireland leaders from the event.

“Gerry Adams has done more than anyone else in northern Ireland to promote the peace process there,” Higgins said.

It was unclear if Adams would make it to Buffalo for several events Saturday.