RSF refutes McDowells 'slur' on its good name

national | crime and justice | press release Tuesday December 09, 2003 16:40 by Ailín

"Republican Sinn Féin refutes in the strongest possible terms the attempt by the 26 County Justice Minister, Michael Mc Dowell to take our good name by attempting to associate our organisation with criminal activity, in a report carried on RTÉ radio's 'News At One' programme, today (Tuesday Dec 9). The only activity engaged in by Republican Sinn Féin and its members is legitimate political activity, as we have done for almost the past 100 years, the centenary of our foundation is in 2005."

"This latest attempt at 'Felon Setting' is clearly politically motivated, in an attempt to discredit and criminalise true Irish Republicans, simply because of the stance taken by us in refusing to accept British rule in Ireland. It is very likely that Mr McDowell would have used similar colourful language to describe the Provisionals up to ten years ago, but as they have since fully signed up to British rule and are actively collaborating with it they are now deemed to be 'respectable' and above reproach."


Des Dalton, Vice President Republican Sinn Féin
December 9, 2003