SF condemned over website

Gerry Adams dismissed the criticism as 'stupid'

Sinn Fein has been accused of promoting the IRA and cashing in on violence after it launched a new party website which promotes the sale of IRA t-shirts.

The SDLP and the Ulster Unionist Party have condemned the site.

However, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams was unrepentant as he launched the website.

Mr Adams dismissed criticism that the party should not be promoting t-shirts with slogans such as 'Sniper at work' and 'IRA undefeated' on them.

The West Belfast MP rejected suggestions the site undermined his party's commitment to the peace process. and mocked his critics.

"It is one of the ironies that by the stupidity of these other parties latching onto this issue, they are going to focus publicity on our website which is going to bring more and more people into contact with republicanism beyond the sale of a t-shirt," he said.

SDLP councillor Patrician Lewsley said Sinn Fein were cashing in on victims.

Ulster Unionist councillor David McNarry said he had asked the chief constable, Hugh Orde, to investigate the nature of sedition in the selling of the t-shirts.

"These are the people who tell us they are committed to peace and yet they are pedalling this type of t-shirt which has nothing to do with peace, which wallows in the atrocities of the IRA," he said.

A complaint has also been filed with the American consulate as the t-shirts are being marketed to Americans at $16 dollars each.