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Gerry Adams says IRA 'let down' sex abuse victims | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has apologised to sex abuse victims "let down" by the IRA during the Troubles. | |
Mr Adams was speaking in the Irish parliament where the case of Belfast woman Maíria Cahill was discussed. | |
Ms Cahill claims she was raped as a teenager by a suspected IRA member and said she was later interrogated by the IRA who covered up what happened. | |
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny described Ms Cahill as "a force to be reckoned with". | |
Mr Adams said the IRA had sought to deal with some cases of abuse when asked to do so by families and victims. | |
"While the IRA volunteers were acting, in my opinion, in good faith, the IRA was ill-equipped to deal with such matters," he said. | |
"IRA actions against such sex offenders failed victims and that is a matter for profound regret from me and other republicans. | |
"So I'm acutely conscious that there may be victims who were let down or failed by the IRA's inability to resolve these cases. | |
"I want to apologise to those victims. Those who wish should come forward now and report their complaints to the appropriate authorities. " | |
Earlier, Mr Kenny described Ms Cahill as a very courageous woman after meeting her in Dublin. | |
He said Ms Cahill's story involved the leadership of the IRA. | |
"The most powerful people in the IRA conspired in this and I think it is reprehensible that a young woman of this courage and bravery should be kicked about in the last week," he said. | |
He said a number of other alleged victims of IRA abuse had contacted Ms Cahill with their stories. | |
Mr Kenny compared the IRA's handling of abuse cases and moving suspected abusers to other jurisdictions with past practice in the Catholic Church. | |
"These very much mirrored in what has happened here with IRA sexual abusers," he said. | |
On Tuesday, the Public Prosecution Service announced a review into three court cases linked to Ms Cahill's claims. | |
Charges were dropped against those said to have been involved in the IRA inquiry and the alleged rapist was acquitted. | Charges were dropped against those said to have been involved in the IRA inquiry and the alleged rapist was acquitted. |
Earlier this month, the Belfast woman waived her right to anonymity to speak to BBC Northern Ireland's Spotlight programme. | Earlier this month, the Belfast woman waived her right to anonymity to speak to BBC Northern Ireland's Spotlight programme. |
She 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. | She 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. |