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First Minister Peter Robinson meets Maíria Cahill over abuse cover-up claim | First Minister Peter Robinson meets Maíria Cahill over abuse cover-up claim |
(35 minutes later) | |
A west Belfast woman who claims republicans were involved in a cover-up of sexual abuse has held talks with the First Minister Peter Robinson. | A west Belfast woman who claims republicans were involved in a cover-up of sexual abuse has held talks with the First Minister Peter Robinson. |
Maíria Cahill has said she was raped by a suspected IRA member and interrogated about it by the organisation. | Maíria Cahill has said she was raped by a suspected IRA member and interrogated about it by the organisation. |
Ms Cahill said she wanted the first minister to offer more support to victims of abuse. | Ms Cahill said she wanted the first minister to offer more support to victims of abuse. |
She said she was prepared to meet Sinn Féin but wanted the meeting recorded because she "didn't trust them". | She said she was prepared to meet Sinn Féin but wanted the meeting recorded because she "didn't trust them". |
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has said that victims of sexual abuse were failed but he denied any suggestion of a cover-up. | Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has said that victims of sexual abuse were failed but he denied any suggestion of a cover-up. |
After meeting Ms Cahill, Mr Robinson said: "No-one could fail to be moved by what happened to Maíria. | |
"It is incredibly courageous for someone in Maíria's position to step forward so publicly. | |
"I want to create the circumstances where no-one feels afraid to come forward and speak about the wrongs that have been committed towards them. | |
"Just as we have facilitated investigations into other abuses in this country so too must victims such as Maíria be given the proper support to have their crimes fully investigated." | |
Ms Cahill described the meeting with Mr Robinson as positive. | |
Ms Cahill is to meet the Irish prime minister, Enda Kenny, later this week. He described Sinn Féin's behaviour as "despicable". | Ms Cahill is to meet the Irish prime minister, Enda Kenny, later this week. He described Sinn Féin's behaviour as "despicable". |
The Belfast woman is a member of one of the republican movement's best-known families. | The Belfast woman is a member of one of the republican movement's best-known families. |
Her great-uncle, Joe Cahill, was one of the founders of the Provisional IRA and a long-time associate of Mr Adams. | Her great-uncle, Joe Cahill, was one of the founders of the Provisional IRA and a long-time associate of Mr Adams. |
Ms Cahill waived her right to anonymity to speak to BBC Northern Ireland's Spotlight programme. | Ms Cahill waived her right to anonymity to speak to BBC Northern Ireland's Spotlight programme. |
Ms Cahill said that in 1997, when she was 16, she was subjected to a 12-month cycle of sexual abuse, including rape, by a man who was believed to be a member of the IRA. | Ms Cahill said that in 1997, when she was 16, she was subjected to a 12-month cycle of sexual abuse, including rape, by a man who was believed to be a member of the IRA. |
Ms Cahill described how the IRA questioned her repeatedly, often several nights a week, for months about the abuse allegations, before summoning her to a meeting with her alleged abuser in early 2000. | Ms Cahill described how the IRA questioned her repeatedly, often several nights a week, for months about the abuse allegations, before summoning her to a meeting with her alleged abuser in early 2000. |
Ms Cahill later went to the police, and a case was brought against Martin Morris. | Ms Cahill later went to the police, and a case was brought against Martin Morris. |
All charges were dropped and Mr Morris was acquitted after Ms Cahill withdrew her evidence. | All charges were dropped and Mr Morris was acquitted after Ms Cahill withdrew her evidence. |
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