Former Sinn Féin candidate could pose threat to children

[mutley]

A man whom police describe as potentially dangerous to women and children was a former Sinn Féin election candidate in the North and an ex-IRA prisoner.

The PSNI has launched a massive search operation after Martin Forbes (51) from Strabane in Co Tyrone went missing.

Forbes has served a lengthy prison sentence for the Provisional IRA and was on the "blanket protest" in Long Kesh.

After he was released from jail, he became active in Sinn Féin and stood for the party in Strabane in the 1989 local government elections.

He failed to get elected but remained active and prominent in the party for years afterwards, according to local republicans.

When contacted by the Sunday Tribune, a Sinn Féin spokesman said: "Drew Forbes left Sinn Féin in the early 1990s. We are aware a serious allegation has been made against him of the sexual abuse of a child and the matter is being dealt with by the courts.

"This is not an historic case. It relates to allegations of abuse in the here and now. There has never been an allegation made that Mr Forbes was involved in any abuse during his time within the party.

"If such an allegation had been made he would have been subjected to party disciplinary procedures and the appropriate statutory authorities notified."

--------------------------------------

SF have a great track Record when it comes to taking disciplinary action against alledged child abusers

How many more IRA/SF members/ex members are going to accussed of Child abuse?

[The_Big_Fellow]

Jesus, there seems to be child abusers everywhere in this country, even within honest, upstanding political parties like Sinn Fein we're finding some.

Look at parties like FG which covered up some of the worst child abuse the country saw in the 70's, and FF that have covered it up for the vast majority of the other time.

Ireland had an unhealthy repressed attitude to sex, political point scoring off the back of it is fairly low.

[turdsl]

Trying to bring Sinn Fein down to the level of other political parties and the catholic church,Just will not work,

[mmrebel]

Trying to bring Sinn Fein down to the level of other political parties and the catholic church,Just will not work,

They do a grand job of that themselves Gerry protected child abusers the same with the catholic church did .

[Kerrygold]

He left SF in the early 90's? And you think it relevant to put in the thread title? You really are a sad individual.

[sandar]

disturbing case but hardly sf fault

[turdsl]

Pass no remarks they are after trawling the Tribune and Harris to see is there anything on Gerry.So its back to the big one , Was Gerry in the IRA, oh, Dear i believe someone asked that before,

[markeys]

There's no issue here for SF so long as they did not attempt to cover up allegations or wrongdoing. The church is at fault because it did nothing when allegations were made against priests. Had the church taken the correct course of action and informed on priests when allegations were made, it wouldn't be in the mess it is in now.

I'm not a fan of SF, but the issue for SF and every other political party or organisation should be restricted to their actions when allegations were made. Child abusers exists in all walks of life, just as criminals do. Tarring a whole organisation because of one individual is an extreme approach.

[Dr Pat]

There's no issue here for SF so long as they did not attempt to cover up allegations or wrongdoing. The church is at fault because it did nothing when allegations were made against priests. Had the church taken the correct course of action and informed on priests when allegations were made, it wouldn't be in the mess it is in now.

I'm not a fan of SF, but the issue for SF and every other political party or organisation should be restricted to their actions when allegations were made. Child abusers exists in all walks of life, just as criminals do. Tarring a whole organisation because of one individual is an extreme approach.

The Catholic Church was hauled over the rails, and properly so, for a systematic cover up of child abuse. In respect of the same child abuse, the state and its institutional organs eg departments, judiciary, police have largely escaped scrutiny by the media and Government, wrongly in my opinion.

Concerning the Republican Movement and other political movements/parties, if there was a culture of hiding it or deliberately ignoring it, then it needs to be examined and brought into the light of day and let people be held to account. Mr Adams role in all of this remains somewhat unclear and there are allegations from victims that have not been satisfactorily answered to date. Let there be no excuses for exempting anyone.