TD Doherty gives names of 8 'IRA abusers' to gardai
Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty has given gardai the names of eight alleged sex abusers who the IRA exiled from Northern Ireland to the Republic.
Ms Doherty met with a detective from Ashbourne Garda Station yesterday to pass on the information.
The Meath East TD told the Dail this week she had information of eight men "who were facilitated by Sinn Fein" to move out of the North to the Republic. She said she was afraid to name them in the Dail.
fallout
The fallout from Sinn Fein's alleged stunt in the Dail on Thursday continues.
Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin said he believes Sinn Fein vice-president Mary Lou McDonald's sit-in was designed to distract attention from serious issues.
Dublin Central TD Ms McDonald will be suspended from the Dail next Tuesday after a four hour sit-in in the Dail chamber.
Speaking before he rang the New York Stock Exchange bell, Taoiseach Enda Kenny also rounded on Sinn Fein for the sit-in.
Ms McDonald refused to leave the Dail chamber after she was ordered out by Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett.
Mr Kenny said Sinn Fein talks about "abiding by democratic decisions" but only does so when it suits the party.
"Now everyone is elected to the Dail under a democratic system and the Dail sets down its rules and regulations so it seems as if it's fine to talk about democracy but not to accept democratic decisions," he said.
Mr Kenny also condemned Gerry Adams' comment about putting guns to the head of Irish Independent editors as "reprehensible and disgraceful".
In New York, Mr Kenny said he does not like everything that is said about him in the media, but believes a functioning democracy needs a free press.
"I think it is utterly reprehensible of the leader of Sinn Fein to in any way cast aspersions about the freedom of the press to write their stories," he said.
"To give any kind of threat, implied or otherwise, is utterly reprehensible and disgraceful."
Also yesterday, Independent News & Media chairman Leslie Buckley said the role of a free media in our democracy is "of paramount importance".
"A free press ensures government and public officials are held accountable, the public are informed and citizens are given a voice," he said.
Speaking at a business event in Dublin, Mr Buckley criticised Mr Adams' remarks, saying: "At best, his comments were careless; at worst insidious."
rape
Mr Buckley said it was the responsibility of the media in a democratic society to ask questions and look for responses.
He said he also felt Mr Adams' comments were a "veiled threat" to the entire free media on this island.
Meanwhile, a prominent Sinn Fein member has denied being involved in the Mairia Cahill interrogation or a similar investigation into the rape of two young boys.
Padraic Wilson was named by Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin as being involved in both cases.
hnews@herald.ie