Posted on 12/11/2006 3:33:34 AM PST by Mrs Ivan
Dissident republican terrorists have been plotting to assassinate Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, it has been claimed.
The new attempt to murder the West Belfast MP was aborted because of his own security arrangements, according to a report.
Police went to his home in the last few days to alert him that a possible shooting was being planned.
Mr Adams claimed the threat was because of internal party discussions over whether to take the historic step of publicly endorsing Northern Ireland's police service for the first time.
It followed earlier warnings to other senior Sinn Fein representatives Gerry Kelly and Martin McGuinness that they too were being targeted by rogue republicans.
Mr Adams said: "Some weeks ago the Sinn Fein leadership expressed concern about the coming together of a tiny number of disaffected former IRA people and elements of various micro-groups including some members of the INLA (Irish National Liberation Army).
"This has become more serious as a debate within Sinn Fein has opened up on the issue of ending political policing.
"We believe that there is now an active threat to senior members of the Sinn Fein leadership and we are taking this matter seriously.
"I understand that there are republicans who are concerned about current political developments and especially discussions around policing."
A written message delivered to him by officers revealed details of the threat.
It said: "Dissident republicans recently discussed mounting an attack, possibly a shooting, on Gerry Adams, but discounted such a plan due to Adams' security arrangements.
"You are advised to seek advice on and take steps to protect your personal security."
It was the second time in just over a month that Mr Adams has been warned by police that his life is in danger and came days after Mr Kelly was alerted.
But the Sinn Fein chief vowed not to be swayed by any plot.
"I would urge them not to allow themselves to be exploited or manipulated by individuals who are now operating to their own malign agenda and who should know better," he told the Andersonstown News.
"As for Sinn Fein, we will not be deflected from what we think is the right thing to do."
A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokeswoman refused to confirm if officers contacted Mr Adams.
She said: "We do not discuss the security of individuals. But where we feel there's a need to warn them we will advise them of their security."
First Stone, now "dissidents"? Any chance of them working together - enemy's enemy type of thing?
We will not shed a tear in our household if any of them succeed. I just would like them to wait until after our trip over at Christmas (selfish, I know). I can't imagine the riots the spides will cause if he's killed.
FYI...
Pretty much that same securty that any mob boss has. Just watch "The Godfather" for details...
Both he and that bigot Ian Paisley will have plenty to answer for in the next life.
Paisley is not the same as Adams, but maybe.
Ian Paisley has plenty of blood on his hands from his anti-Catholic bigoted enabling. He's been doing it for years and deserves whatever he gets. The Loyalists are no saints in this thing.
I condemn Loyalist terrorist in equal measure as Republican terrorist - it just I don't get many people giving arguements to defend them here on FR.
Paisley could well have been involved in the Loyalist paramilitaries in 70s, but I do believe he isn't now, unlike Adams.
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