Abuse survivor Mairia Cahill arrives at Stormont, Belfast for a meeting with First Minister Peter Robinson over allegations that she was interrogated by the IRA after she claimed she was abused by a member of the terror group. Photo: PA

Gerry Adams has for the first time acknowledged he knew of an IRA-link to the alleged rape of Mairia Cahill when he learned of the allegations.

Ms Cahill says she was raped by a member of the IRA and was investigated and covered up by the Provos.

Mr Adams has never before said he knew of an IRA connection when he spoke with members of Mairia’s family about the abuse.

“And she’s acknowledged that her uncle Joe asked her to go to the RUC and it was at my request that she did that because once, once it became clear to me, subsequently, that there was this entire situation of alleged abuse, of the IRA, of all of this, I went to Joe and said: ‘Joe that needs to go to the RUC’,” he said.

Mr Adams mention of his knowledge of IRA involvement is viewed as hugely significant.

In his first statement in response to Ms Cahill’s claims of an IRA cover-up, Mr Adams has previously said he learned of the allegations from her cousin Siobhan O’Hanlon, who has since passed away.

Ms O’Hanlon said Ms Cahill was refusing to go to the RUC, so he spoke with her uncle, Joe Cahill, a founder of the Provisional IRA.

“Siobhan and I met with Joe Cahill who was Mairia’s uncle. We told Joe of the allegation and asked him to speak to Mairia about reporting this to the RUC. He did so. Mairia did not want to do this at that time,” he said.

Gerry Adams last week:

“I met Mairia in good faith, at the behest of her cousin and my late friend Siobhan O’Hanlon who was concerned for Maria’s welfare. My sole reason to meet her was to help.

“I am personally horrified at the allegation that I would make the comments Mairia has attributed to me.

“That the BBC would broadcast that allegation, without any attempt at balance whatsoever, is reprehensible.

“I would never make such remarks to anyone, much less an alleged victim of abuse.

“When I learned of the allegation of abuse from Siobhan, she told me that Mairia was refusing to go to the RUC.

“Siobhan and I met with Joe Cahill who was Mairia’s uncle. We told Joe of the allegation and asked him to speak to Mairia about reporting this to the RUC. He did so. Mairia did not want to do this at that time."

Gerry Adams this week:

Question: “Gerry, is it still your position that you never discussed these matters with Mairia Cahill when you met her?”

Gerry Adams: “Absolutely. And I met her at the request of a, of a family member who was concerned about her and as I’ve said, on quite a number occasions, when I learned subsequently, and remember, Mairia Cahill was an adult at this time, and I was well intended in meeting with her. I met her to help her. Anybody else she’s named from Sinn Fein who I’ve spoken to has assured me that they tried to help her and were well intended in dealing with her.

“And she’s acknowledged that her uncle Joe asked her to go to the RUC and it was at my request that she did that because once, once it became clear to me, subsequently, that there was this entire situation of alleged abuse, of the IRA, of all of this, I went to Joe and said: ‘Joe that needs to go to the RUC’.”

Online Editors