By Ben Kopp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

DUBLIN, Ireland – In 1972, Irish Republican Army (IRA) members abducted and killed widow Jean McConville, who the group believed to be a spy for the British.

On 4 May 2014, Northern Ireland police released Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams without charge. Police suspected that Adams had some connection to McConville’s death, though Adams has long denied having any role. Adams further denied being a member of the IRA.

“When the war was on I did politically support the use of armed action by the IRA as a legitimate response to British repression and British military occupation of a part of my country, Adams said, “Of course I disagree with many of the issues and many of the things that the IRA did, including the killing of Mrs McConville and the way that her ten children were left.”

Police kept Adams in custody for four days. Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny expressed concern for McConville’s children. Some believe they might be killed for passing along the names of the IRA unit which they said kidnapped and killed their mother.

“I reject absolutely any allegation made against me,” Adams said. “I am innocent of any involvement whatsoever in any conspiracy or of any of the events including the abduction, the killing, or the burial of Mrs. Jean McConville. When this became a matter of public speculation two months ago I contacted PSNI through my solicitor and said I was available to talk to them.”

Adams further stated that the allegations have been part of a “sustained, vicious, untruthful and sinister malicious campaign” against him for “some considerable time.” He claimed that two IRA members, since deceased, implicated him as part of the Belfast Project, which took place at Boston College. The project recorded former IRA member testimony, and laid the groundwork for questioning Adams, who referred to those behind the project as “disaffected, and very, very hostile, anti-peace process former IRA activists.”

Gerry Adams also questioned the timing of his interrogation by the police. “I contacted them two months ago,” he said. “They waited until we were in the middle of an election before they made this very dramatic intervention, so I reject absolutely any allegation no matter who it’s coming from or any assertion no matter who it’s coming from, it’s ridiculous.”

Adams stated that Michael McConville should give the names of those who abducted and killed his mother if he wants to because “that’s entirely his right.” However, McConville claimed that he was recently threatened by the IRA, and Adams himself, who denied any such threat.

For further information, please see:

CNN International – EXCLUSIVE: Gerry Adams Tells Amanpour He Is Innocent – May 5, 2014

Telegraph – Gerry Adams Receives Death Threat after Release from Police Custody – May 5, 2014

Washington Post – Gerry Adams Freed as Northern Ireland’s Unity Government Faces Challenge – May 4, 2014

Guardian – Ireland’s Taoiseach Urges Gerry Adams to Cooperate with Police – May 3, 2014