Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has been arrested by police in Northern Ireland over the murder of Jean McConville in 1972.
37-year-old McConville was abducted from her flat in the Divis area of west Belfast shortly before Christmas 1972 and executed by the IRA for being an alleged informer.
The IRA admitted to the murder in 1998 but her body was not found until 2003, when it was discovered buried at a beach in County Louth.
After the news of Adams’ arrested, Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald said:
Gerry Adams is right to confront this issue. There has been a concerted and malicious effort to link Gerry Adams to this case for some considerable time.
He has consistently and forthrightly rejected any suggestion that he had any part in what happened to Jean McConville 42 years ago or that he has any information about these dreadful events.
I believe the timing of this latest decision by the PSNI is politically motivated and designed to damage Gerry Adams and Sinn Féin.
Prior to the arrest, Sinn Féin said in statement:
“Last month Gerry Adams said he was available to meet the PSNI about the Jean McConville case. That meeting is taking place this evening.”
Gerry Adams said:
“As a republican leader I have never shirked my responsibility to build the peace. This includes dealing with the difficult issue of victims and their families. Insofar as it is possible I have worked to bring closure to victims and their families who have contacted me. Even though they may not agree, this includes the family of Jean McConville.
I believe that the killing of Jean McConville and the secret burial of her body was wrong and a grievous injustice to her and her family.
Well publicised, malicious allegations have been made against me. I reject these.
While I have never disassociated myself from the IRA and I never will, I am innocent of any part in the abduction, killing or burial of Mrs McConville.