17th July 2003

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Adams Welcome For O Muireagáin Release

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams MP has added his voice to those welcoming the release of West Belfast Irish Language activist Seán O Muieagáin. But Mr Adams also said serious questions remain to be answered by both the media and British Intelligence in the aftermath of Seán's arrest and detention.

Mr Adams said:

`` It is clearly welcome that Seán O Muireagáin has finally been released and returned home to his family in West Belfast. His arrest and detention was wrong and unjust and should never have happened in the first place. The wrong perpetrated on Seán O Muireagáin was further exacerbated by the petty and vindictive detention last night by British police at London airport.

`` I am greatly concerned at a number of elements in this case. The role of British Intelligence in the arrest and the subsequent role of sections of the media in reporting the usual British security source briefings as fact needs to be further investigated.

`` These briefings were the latest in a long line of malicious and false briefings fed to the media by elements of British Intelligence in an attempt to undermine further the peace process. ``

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