Sinn Féin leader and Louth TD Gerry Adams says he strongly stands by his controversial remarks he made recently where he described how Michael Collins dealt with critical press coverage by the Irish Independent by holding the editor at gunpoint and dismantling the printing presses.
Mr Adams made his comments whilst speaking at a Sinn Féin fundrasier in New York, however Mr Adams tried to qualify his statement by saying he was not advocating such an action.
The controversial remarks has caused a bit of a stir amongst the press as it has been revealed that World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) has written to Mr Adams calling on him to withdraw the remarks.
Mr Adams reportedly repeated the remark in a post on his own personal blog last week without the qualification according to the WAN-IFRA letter. It is understood that the WAN-IFRA, organization represents 18,000 publications in more than 120 countries, say Mr Adams comments “may be viewed as a veiled threat against Independent News and Media journalists and editors”.
The organisation also say it is “seriously concerned” by the remark that Mr Adams made while criticising INM journalists for their coverage of the Máiría Cahill rape allegations.