SINN Fein president Gerry Adams has denied a meeting between himself and Kevin McGuigan weeks before he was murdered in east Belfast.
It had been reported Mr Adams met with Mr McGuigan amid fears for his life after the senior republican was linked to the earlier killing of Gerard 'Jock' Davison.
However, Mr Adams yesterday moved to deny the claims.
The Louth TD said the reports were "totally untrue".
"I don't normally read the Sunday papers but this one was mentioned to me.
"No meeting took place, nor was one requested to my knowledge."
The Sunday World newspaper had reported a secret meeting took place between the pair after being "urgently requested by McGuigan".
It alleged a one-to-one meeting took place in Dundalk at which Adams assured McGuigan, "that although the party was aware of the rumours connecting him to Davison's death, he was confident the Belfast man wasn't under any threat from Sinn Féin members".
