The Irish Catholic Church’s record on sex abuse has been cited in a sex scandal involving the Irish Republican Army.
Irish political party Sinn Fein has been accused of covering up for IRA sex abusers by moving them from Northern Ireland to the Irish republic.
Ireland’s Parliament recently debated the claims of Belfast woman Mairia Cahill, who was raped by an alleged IRA member when she was 16.
Ms Cahill was subsequently forced to come face-to-face with her rapist in a harrowing kangaroo court scenario.
MP Joan Burton challenged Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald to apply the same standards as she did when condemning the Catholic Church’s cover-up of sex abuse.
“In particular, does she apply this standard to the ‘powerful man’ who leads her own party?” asked Ms Burton.
Another MP Regina Doherty said she had the names of eight alleged abusers relocated to the republic by Sinn Féin.
She said she would forward these to the police.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said there were as many as 28 victims of abuse by members of the Provisional IRA.
“This abuse was covered up within the movement and continues to be covered up to this day,” said Mr Martin.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said he accepted Ms Cahill had been abused.
Mr Adams conceded the IRA response was inadequate, and said the organisation shot and expelled abusers.
But beyond that he said he knew nothing of the details.
He asserted that a case of alleged IRA cover-up had morphed to a claim where Sinn Féin facilitated sex abuse.
“I reject the charge,” he said.
Mr Adams accused the other party leaders of playing politics and using smear tactics because they feared the growing strength of Sinn Féin.
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said the IRA had “covered up abuse, moved the perpetrators around so the untouchables would remain untouchable” outside Northern Ireland.
Another MP told Mr Adams she would “not believe the Lord’s Prayer from his mouth”.
Sources
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