McDonald: I accept that IRA volunteers were decent people

The deputy leader of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald, says she accepts that volunteers to the IRA were decent people.

Ms McDonald is denying that the IRA moved sexual abusers, but admits they carried out rough justice on those accused, including knee-capping and telling them to leave the area.

She says these were not secretive practices and that in many cases the security services were aware of it.

Deputy McDonald also says that she accepts Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams' assertion that those people who volunteerd to the IRA were decent people.

She said: "I believe that the people who volunteered to the IRA were decent people.

"Yes I do, I accept that."