Adams Denies IRA Were Involved In East Belfast Killings

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD has denied the IRA were involved in the killings of Jock Davision and Kevin McGuigan.

Mr McGuigan was fatally shot on 12 August outside his home in the Short Strand area of east Belfast, in what is believed to have been retaliation for the murder of Gerard 'Jock' Davison in May.

Mr Adams said: "The war is over. The IRA is gone and not coming back. This has been acknowledged and evidenced over the past 10 years. There is now a peaceful and democratic path to achieve republican objectives. This has the support of the vast majority of republicans and nationalists.

"Those individuals who do not embrace this and are pursuing their own agendas do not represent republicanism and should be held to account by the criminal justice system.

"Recent mischievous speculation and the use of these tragic deaths by other political parties is self-serving and wholly cynical. The actions of individual criminal elements or gangs must not be allowed to derail the peace and political process."

Mr Adams concluded that Sinn Féin will continue to work with the PSNI to bring those involved in the killings to justice.

(CD/JP)