Slán abhaile - Time to go Gerry.

[Rosmuc]

Could this thread not be split into (i) a discussion on Gerry Adams and (ii) a discussion on moderating policy from all the outraged Shinners trying to avoid the issue?

I myself can't remember any one of them on the FF threads saying 'can we keep all the Bertie/FF/corruption stuff to just one thread'.

As for the actual topic, I think TipperaryMan got it right, and I hope Gerry stays on.

In all fairness now the corruption that went on in your party could fill many threads, corruption that will sink FF for many years to come.

[picador]

You ask "does Gerry expressly say Aine demanded anonymity"?
yet you quote his blog as saying "This professional advice and experience convinced me that my role was to support the victims, protect the victim’s right to anonymity – while that was their wish – and to help bring closure and empower victims and their relatives."

'While that was their wish', isn't the implication there that he was claiming she wanted anonymity? Isn't Gerry being disingenuous?

Anonymity is an automatic right in such cases. Gerry's words are carefully nuanced. Breen cannot possibly use them as the basis for an assertion that Gerry says Áine demanded the anonymity which was her right. Based on what appears on the léargas blog he says no such thing.

Are you really blaming the victim for not going to Clonard rather than expecting one of the most powerful men in Belfast to go? You're really stretching it here, picador.

No I'm not. I'm wondering that if Áine Tyrell was really so willing to waive her anonymity for the benefit of adult Sinn Féin members as the synopsis implies then surely, in the event that Gerry was doing nothing about Liam's working with youth groups, she would also have been prepared to pass details of the allegations against Liam onto the authorities at Clonard. It seems that there is some wishful thinking going on, combined with a measure of hindsight.

I am also concerned to know whether, as reported elsewhere, Áine was advised by not to comment further on this matter in public by the PSNI. If so, then giving an interview to The Tribune was unwise. It seems that instead of Liam Adams being legally put on trial - which public interest now demands - we will have to make do with the trial of his brother by media. That would be doubly unjust

[stewiegriffin]

Writing in the Irish News today Brian Feeney drew attention to the completely compromised nature of Gerry Adams as a political leader and how he has become a liability to PSF.

The two key issues affecting Adams are the revelations in regard to his brother Liam and the upcoming publication of the memoirs of Brendan 'Darkie' Hughes.

Liamgate isn't going away you know and it will linger in the media glare for months as Liam fights extradition from the 26C,

I dont even live in norn iron ,and ,I am an idiot , but even i know both those statements are ridiculous . Dont you watch the news ? DUP are acting the maggot and and there is a possibilty of a tory/unionist majority in westminister . Even tho Adams may be compromised , even flawed , it would be insane for him to quit or be ousted .

[jdaly]

I dont even live in norn iron ,and ,I am an idiot , but even i know both those statements are ridiculous . Dont you watch the news ? DUP are acting the maggot and and there is a possibilty of a tory/unionist majority in westminister . Even tho Adams may be compromised , even flawed , it would be insane for him to quit or be ousted .

I never heard such daft nonsense in my life, 'even though adams may be compromised, even flawed, it would be insane for him to quit or be ousted.' Surely if he is compromised, which many believe he is, then he is a handicap rather than an asset, if he is compromised then who is he working for?
Having read the Sunday Tribune articles closely this morning it is safe to say that the hole is getting deeper for Adams; to be fair, from the same articles it is clear that Sinn Fein as such knew nothing about the Liam Adams affair, the problem is that the fact that some of the leaders are now standing up for Gerry's disgraceful conduct is linking the blame to the party; they should have stayed out of it and let Gerry deal with it himself. He is now a millstone around their neck.

[factual]

Gerry Adams is one of the key actors in the peace process. It is imperative for the peace process and the GFA that he stay as leader until it is fully implemented.

[Cato]

Gerry Adams is one of the key actors in the peace process. It is imperative for the peace process and the GFA that he stay as leader until it is fully implemented.

Regardless of any involvement in the covering up of child abuse and the endangering of children? I think not.

[SevenStars]

Gerry Adams is one of the key actors in the peace process. It is imperative for the peace process and the GFA that he stay as leader until it is fully implemented.

Who would you say are the other key actors?

[jdaly]

Gerry Adams is one of the key actors in the peace process. It is imperative for the peace process and the GFA that he stay as leader until it is fully implemented.

You are wise beyond knowledge, Gerry Adams is indeed an 'actor' and what part is he acting? He is acting the part a man who cares greatly for the people of Ireland; and what is his real character? He is really a man who will cover up the actions of a man who he believes rapes his four year old daughter and protect that rapist.

The problem is, factual, we have enough 'actors' and a scarcity of honest leaders.

[Cato]

You are wise beyond knowledge, Gerry Adams is indeed an 'actor' and what part is he acting? He is acting the part a man who cares greatly for the people of Ireland; and what is this real character? He is really a man who will cover up the actions of a man who he believes rapes his four year old daughter and protect that rapist.

The problem is, factual, we have enough 'actors' and a scarcity of honest leaders.

Well said.

[picador]

Compromise may be a dirty word but unfortunately it is also what this country - or at least the north-eastern part of it - badly needs. Being up in the hills with a gun might seem honest - but it's not.

But hey, we might have an election soon. I guess that's the best way to find out then whether the people want him ousted.

And the best way to find out if Gerry is covering up child abuse is for his brother to go on trial - in a court of law.