Sponsored by
Dundalk natives refuteTD's claims on profile of Liam Adams
TWO men have refuted a statement made by Sinn Féin (SF) TD Arthur Morgan that suspected paedophile Liam Adams was not a high profile member of the party in Dundalk.
Locals Fra Browne and Owenie Hanratty told The Dundalk Democrat that their recollection of Liam Adams' involvement in SF Dundalk differed from Morgan's.
According to former SF election agent Fra Browne, Liam Adams was an active and well-known member of SF Dundalk in the 1990s.
"Arthur Morgan has been quoted as saying Liam didn't register on the richter scale. That's not true. Liam was a contender for nomination as a candidate in the 1997 election," said Mr Browne.
"There were two contenders, Liam Adams and Owen Hanratty. However, a number of people in the party were concerned because Liam was from Belfast.
"We wanted to put forward a local candidate. When Liam saw the anger that was there he withdrew his name. He was certainly an active Sinn Fin person in Dundalk."
The candidacy was secured by Owenie Hanratty who was later photographed on the campaign trail with Liam and Gerry Adams. Hanratty's wife, Marie, and Mr Browne also posed for the picture in June 1997.
No-one in the photograph, except for SF President Gerry Adams, knew that Liam Adams was a suspected paedophile, accused of sexually abusing his daughter, Aine Tyrell.
"I don't want to say too much. I'd rather not get into a bun fight with Arthur Morgan but my recollection of Liam Adams' involvement in the party is different to his," said Mr Hanratty.
"No-one in Sinn Fin DundaIk had any idea about the accusations made against Liam Adams."
Liam Adams, who is wanted by the PSNI following claims that he sexually abused his daughter from the age of four, gave himself up to Gardai earlier this week.
He walked into a Garda station in Sligo but could not be detained as they did not have the right warrant. He is said to have left his contact details at the station.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Dundalk
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
