LOUTH TD Arthur Morgan has admitted that the now infamous photograph of Gerry Adams pictured in Dundalk with his brother Liam, who faces allegations of sexual abuse of his own daughter, was 'a mistake.' The photograph, which featured in the in June 1997, showed the Sinn Fein leader sitting in the sunshine at market Square with his brother, who it has since emerged, he knew at the time was facing sexual abuse allegations.

'That was a mistake,' admits Arthur Morgan. 'I am not being precious about Gerry Adams or anybody else, that shouldn't have happened. I do admit that mistakes were made.'

However, he added: 'During walkabouts that I or any other politicians might engage in, people are freely able to join. I'm not saying that's what happened here, as Liam and Gerry were brothers and obviously they would have met at that point.'

He also admitted that Liam Adams had chaired two meetings of the party, just before he took over himself as chairman.

'I have never disputed that Liam Adams was a member of the party, and indeed I have checked the records about his time in Dundalk.

'He did chair two meetings, and then resigned at the end of 1996-97 for personal reasons.'

He said that this period, in the mid to late 1990s was a 'crucial' point in the Northern Ireland Peace Process, and there were many changes happening within his own party.

But he admitted that despite the political background of that time, the situation was 'badly handled.'

'But I am acutely aware that there are reasons why we were not told about allegations against Liam Adams. At that stage there would have been concerns about identifying the victim.'

'Now, of course, all we would need to know is that there were allegations.'

- Olivia RYAN