Why is Gerry Adams not unelectable after the scandal with his brother?

[RedSunRising]

Let's face Gerry Adams had very strong reasons to believe that his brother was a child rapist and was in a position to verify it....And yet he allowed him to work with teenagers and hold a senior rank in Sinn Fein (and possibly the Army?)...Whatever about West Belfast where the sectarian balance of power comes into play (which of course is a creation of British colonialism Im not denying that for a second) the fact that he is electable in Louth and may well top the poll says something very distrubing to my mind about Irish society and its attitude to sexual crime, females in general and children.

[Sam Lord]

The SF damage limitation machine probably has much to do with it. Very experienced and could spin a cashmere sweater out of a ball of twine.

[RedSunRising]

The SF damage limitation machine probably has much to do with it. Very experienced and could spin a cashmere sweater out of a ball of twine.

But its weird that FF or anyone else hasnt brought it up, no?

And we are talking about the rape of a very young child.

[Sam Lord]

But its weird that FF or anyone else hasnt brought it up, no?



I think that if they haven't its because that is not the sort of politics the Irish electorate generally responds to.

[ang]

I think that if they haven't it's because that is not the sort of politics the Irish electorate generally responds to.

They (FF) don't exactly have a good track record on protecting children from abuse themselves.

Glass houses and stones etc.

[morticia]

They seem to be having a good go about allegations that Gerry was far more involved in the IRA than he is now letting on.

I'm going to make excuses now, but I have to say, though, when it comes to allegations of a very personal nature (such as the issue with the brother), the evidence may be obviously there, but if it makes someone too upset to believe it, they won't. Defence mechanisms vincit omnia. And I have to say, finding out one's brother was a paedo would rank in that category. There's none so blind as those who don't want to see. There are many many mothers of children whose male relatives are abusing them, who cannot bring themselves to believe it. And they'd be more aware of the evidence than an uncle.

But the personal stuff, as always here, is taboo in the media. Anyone remember Annie Murphy (mother of Bishop Eamon Casey's son??). She had to threaten to take the story to the Sun in the UK before the IT etc would print it. She had fairly incontrovertible proof.

I have, over the years, heard many a story about politicians and members of the Establishment, North and South of the border, being caught in compromising positions with people not their lawfully wedded spouses. Some incidents allegedly involved "negotiable affection" shall we say?? And the dogs in the street knew all about it...

A bare minority (Emmett Stagg, Iris Robinson, Bishop Casey) have been named and shamed in the press, unlike their counterparts in the UK and US. A common thread in all three cases was illegality of another nature (financial in the case of Robinson and Casey).

And after I don't know how many decades, the church shild abuse scandals are only being comprehensively investigated now.

No-one wants to publish it, ever. And I have to say, if any right wing family values types (not referring to Gerry there, I hasten to add) are well known for their non-adherence to same values on a private level, the public should have a right to know. In fairness to Irish politicians, though, I think the last person to be lambasted for insensitive comments re single mothers was Mary Harney, back in the 1990's. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Remember John Major's "back to basics" campaign (return to decent family values according to the Tories, down with single mothers etc....), promptly scuppered by the outing of half his Cabinet in one way or another??? Perhaps we need to reform our libel laws....

[moss]

But its weird that FF or anyone else hasnt brought it up, no?

And we are talking about the rape of a very young child.

How would FF bring it up ?

' We know we've let the RCC abuse countless children and the state will pay most of the compensation, not the abusers, there is plenty of evidence to prosecute these child abusers but we're not fussed on doing that.

But why did you protect your brother ? '

What GA done was disgusting should the allegations against his brother be true, but FF ???

[RedSunRising]

What GA done was disgusting should the allegations against his brother be true, but FF ???

Very fair point.

But that just raises the issue in general...Does the Irish public in general not give a **** about these crimes?

[moss]

Very fair point.

But that just raises the issue in general...Does the Irish public in general not give a **** about these crimes?

In short, it would appear the masses don't, no.

Individual cases we can express disgust.
Never happens round here, sure he/she was always a weird one, I had my suspicions etc....

A state (us, our parents and grandparents, our elected reps) that allowed child abuse to happen for decades ?

Ostrich time.

[TotalMayhem]

I think that if they haven't it's because that is not the sort of politics the Irish electorate generally responds to.

Quite... Gilbore isn't 'unelectable' either despite de missus obscenely stuffing her coffers with taxpayers' money.

[moss]

Quite... Gilbore isn't 'unelectable' either despite de missus obscenely stuffing her coffers with taxpayers' money.

Poor comparison there TM.

[TotalMayhem]

Maybe, but people frankly don't give a rats anymore about what the "political establishment" is doing ... want a start a list of politicians and their involvement in some unsavoury affair or another? And then check the list for how many of these subjects are still in office? You just get indifferent to shambolic state of Irish politics... which is, if you're asking me, not a bad choice if you value your sanity, moss.

[moss]

What sanity ? ;)

I agree with much of what you say there TM.

Though rather than indifference, I'll opt for the hope of an awakening with patience.

[Cáthasaigh]

Let's face Gerry Adams had very strong reasons to believe that his brother was a child rapist and was in a position to verify it....And yet he allowed him to work with teenagers and hold a senior rank in Sinn Fein (and possibly the Army?)...Whatever about West Belfast where the sectarian balance of power comes into play (which of course is a creation of British colonialism Im not denying that for a second) the fact that he is electable in Louth and may well top the poll says something very distrubing to my mind about Irish society and its attitude to sexual crime, females in general and children.

Apparently his brother was also a member of PIRA internal security which was a haven for British agents appointed by Adams. A vote for Adams is a vote for his British establishment handlers, a treachery ditected from Whitehall and bourne out by his blatant disregard for details of 26C life.

Britain stadns to gain a level of control unheard of since the days of Cosgrave and O Higgins.