A pro-Sinn Fein newspaper has apologised to Gerry Adams after an
unprecedented attack on him by one of its best-known columnists.
On its front page the Andersonstown News said it accepted the tone and
timing of the 'Squinter' column last week had been "inappropriate and
unnecessary".
And in an accompanying article, Mr Adams said he had had found the article
both offensive and hurtful.
The column was critical of the Sinn Fein leader and the fact that he blamed
others for the crime situation in west Belfast.
It stated: "Gerry Adams is the MP, has been for 20 years.
"He's supposed to know how to marshal and direct; he's supposed to give
us the ideas and leadership; he's supposed to make things better.
"When he asks for, and gets, our votes he accepts a host of very
onerous responsibilities, and the most basic of those responsibilities is to
make his constituency a good place for decent people to live and for parents
to bring up their families."
Mr Adams said: "I am well used to and welcome criticism but I am
disappointed at the tenor and tone of his tirade.
"Squinter's advice that we should stay at home is also bad advice.
"The duty of citizens is to join in the efforts to achieve greater
change, more jobs, better housing and safer communities."
The paper said the tone and timing of the piece had been "during a
period of community mourning."
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