Adams Says 'Give PSNI Information"

The President of Sinn Féin, Gerry Adams has appealed for his constituents to contact the police with information after a gang shot a man in the leg as they stole legally held weapons from a house in west Belfast.

Mr Adams, (pictured) the area's MP, was taking part in an interview on his party's involvement in continuing discussions on the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont.

He noted that Sinn Féin has already cancelled its national conference since talks began and was asked about a 'threat' to remove his senior colleague, Martin McGuiness from the office of Deputy First Minister.

Mr Adams said there was no such threat but, in advance of Mr McGuinness reporting on the continued wrangling to the party's Officer Board today, said that that endless talking "without product" risked collapse.

He also underlined that it was because of issues such as last night's robberies that the implementation of devolved policing powers was so important.

He also said that he felt agreement could be achieved, if everyone was committed to doing so and slammed "backwoodsmen" within the DUP for intransigence.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster this morning, and referring to the violent robberies, he said that both he and local party members were urging that anyone with any knowledge of last's night's two raids should tell the PSNI at once.

The police have also appealed for help in investigating the two incidents, which they believe may be linked.

They said this morning that, within an hour of the initial incident, thieves also stole legally held guns in a separate robbery at a second address in the west of the city.

The first took place at around 6.30pm on Wednesday when three men entered a house off the Suffolk Road.

It is understood the men demanded their victim hand over a number of legally held firearms, but when he refused he was shot by one of the intruders.

The wounded man's injuries were not thought to be life threatening.

Two of the gang wore balaclavas, while the third had a scarf over his face. They made off with weapons and ammunition.

Then, shortly after 7.15pm, three men dressed in dark clothing called at a house in the Ballymurphy Road area.

They forced the occupant to hand over a number of legally held weapons and ammunition. The victim of the second robbery is being treated for shock.

(BMcC/GK)