“Are people certain the proceeds from the organised crime is not finding its way into the [SF] political project?”

Micheal Martin took his second pot shot of the week at Sinn Fein in Leader’s Questions in Dail Eireann in as many days. But this was a more forensic strike than yesterday‘s more on-the-hoof affair.

He starts with a reference to £28 Million raised by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) from individuals with “connections or associations” with the Provisional IRA, and then from here asks…

Are people absolutely certain Taoiseach that any of the proceeds from the organised crime that’s been going on by alleged individual Provo Republicans is not finding its way into the political project.. I don’t say that lightly… [Noises off from SF benches]

I would refer you Taoiseach to the proceeds of the Northern Ireland Bank robbery. And I would refer the members to my right [Sinn Fein deputies], check the courts in 2010. Check the three members who were prosecuted and found guilty in relation to handling the proceeds of the Northern Ireland Bank robbery.

One was an unsuccessful candidate for Sinn Fein. The other was a fund raiser for Sinn Fein. And the third in the court pleaded guilty and described himself as a Republican and Sinn Fein member. So there’s form, is my point. People mightn’t like what I’m saying, but that happened taoiseach, and we cannot turn a blind eye to this.

Mick Fealty

Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty