Shatter slams SF for comments on Thatcher

The Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has criticised Sinn Féin for comments made in the wake of Margaret Thatcher's death.

The former British Prime Minister died yesterday following a stroke and her funeral is expected to take place some time next week.

The Iron Lady has fiercely divided opinion over the years, particularly in Northern Ireland, and yesterday, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said she did great hurt to the Irish during her time as Prime Minister.

However, speaking at an event in Dublin this morning, Minister Shatter said Sinn Féin and the IRA were responsible for a great deal of hurt too.

He said: "I think those who comment critically on Margaret Thatcher, in particular those in Sinn Féin who do so, shouldn't be allowed to forget that they were directly responsible, and the Provisional IRA, were responsible for a murderous bombing of a Conservative Party conference that resulted in the death of a number of people."