Ireland

Gerry Adams criticised after claim that IRA killers of farmer should not be jailed

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has said the IRA killers of a Co Louth farmer should not be jailed. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has said the IRA killers of a Co Louth farmer should not be jailed. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has said the IRA killers of a Co Louth farmer should not be jailed. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association

A claim by Gerry Adams that the IRA killers of a Co Louth farmer should not be jailed is "sickening and perverse", an Ulster Unionist MLA has said.

The Sinn Féin president described the murder of father-of-seven Tom Oliver in 1991 as a "politically motivated killing".

The IRA abducted the farmer from his home in Riverstown, near Carlingford, and tortured and killed him because they believed he was an informer.

Speaking after gardaí said they had uncovered "new lines of inquiry" in the case and appealed for information, Mr Adams told Co Louth-based radio station LMFM that jailing Mr Oliver's killers "would be totally and absolutely counterproductive".

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, former paramilitaries convicted of Troubles-era offences, including murder, serve two years in jail.

Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie accused Mr Adams and Sinn Féin of hypocrisy.

"When it comes to the actions of the police and the army they demand all manner of inquiries, legacy inquests and investigations. But when it comes to the terrorist activities of the IRA, then they say we should just forget about it and let it go for the sake of peace," he said.

Kenny Donaldson, of the Innocent Victims United group, also said Mr Adams "has once again demonstrated his blatant disregard for the rule of law".

He added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Oliver family at this time and all are innocents still denied justice, truth and accountability".