Dublin
The government of Ireland this week said that the leaders of Sinn Fein were part of the IRA “command.” The Sinn Fein party, active in Ireland as well as in the British province of Northern Ireland, is often referred to as the “political wing” of the terrorist group. But it has long insisted that it has no control over the militants, and the British and Irish governments have never openly claimed otherwise, until now. Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell named Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, his deputy Martin McGuinness, and member of the Irish parliament Martin Ferris as part of the IRA’s seven-man ruling Army Council. All three men immediately denied the allegation. The British and Irish governments have been increasingly critical of Sinn Fein since December, when they blamed the IRA for a Belfast bank robbery.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Selfies ban in art galleries: a sign of the times?Talking Point Priceless art has been damaged by visitors desperate to take a snap with star attractions, leading some galleries and museums to start fighting back
-
Quiz of The Week: 21 – 27 JuneHave you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
The Week Unwrapped: How do you turn plastics into paracetamol?Podcast Plus, what is the Wagner Group doing now? And why is it so hard to find a job after university?
