Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has said the abolition of the Special Criminal Court is one of the party's "key objectives" but may or may not be contained in their manifesto once it is finalised.

Speaking ahead of a BBC Spotlight programme about Thomas 'Slab' Murphy, Mr Adams said he was "not concerned" about the issue of his tax evasion being re-ignited as the election campaign began.

Mr Adams said: "people are very sensible in all of these matters".

In response to questions about the sentencing of Mr Murphy, which is scheduled to take place during the election campaign, and whether or not he would still call him a "good republican" in the event of a prison term being imposed, Mr Adams said "let's wait until the Judge has his say, let's not go to the hanging until it's time for it".