Ahern comments - Taoiseach ups the ante on Sinn Féin

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern’s frank admission that he always assumed Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams was a member of the IRA represents a dramatic twist in the tortuous relations between Government and the republican movement.

Not mincing his words for a change, Mr Ahern said he would be surprised if Mr Adams had not been a member of the Provisional IRA, especially in view of his prominent role in negotiations involving the republican movement.

For his part, Mr Adams has always denied he was ever a member of the IRA. Reiterating these denials yesterday, he said he was flabbergasted by Mr Ahern’s comments.