Ahern joins the attack on SF's IRA connection

national | anti-war / imperialism | news report Thursday January 29, 2004 14:25 by robby

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has joined his government's attacks on Sinn Fein's IRA connections in the run-up to next week's review of the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Ahern told republicans to look at illegal IRA activity before talking about political corruption.

In the Dail yesterday, he said: "I have made it clear that Sinn Fein and the IRA are two sides of the same coin."

He spoke out after Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny raised Justice Minister Michael McDowell's claims that Sinn Fein benefits from the IRA's criminal income.

Mr Kenny said if an allegation of such gravity was made about Fianna Fail, Fine Gael the Labour Party or the Green Party, there would be calls for public inquiries.

The taoiseach said: "If some members of Sinn Fein want to lay charges about corruption against other parties, they should consider very carefully where they are coming from on the whole issue."

gs from Mr McDowell.

Sinn Fein have been furious at the recent attacks - which have also come from the UUP and British Government - and will be unhappy that the taoiseach appears to back Mr McDowell.