IN SPITE of the Sinn Fein leadership's "repudiation" of the murder of Det Garda Jerry McCabe, the Government is insisting the party is now facing an acid test of their democratic credentials".
Efforts by the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, yesterday to counter the negative political fallout from the Adare killing were negated when Government and Opposition sources indicated his statement was inadequate.
As senior republican sources privately expressed deep dismay at the injurious political consequences of the shooting for Sinn Fein, Mr Adams said. "It is clear that the killing at Adare can form no part in the republican struggle". On the contrary, he added, "actions such as this would be a disservice to that struggle".
But he accepted the IRA's statement that none of its members or units were involved and said there had been "a continuous political effort to link this killing with Sinn Fein's efforts to restore the peace process".
He added. "This is clearly deliberate mischief making and is aimed at undermining Sinn Fein's role in the search for peace".
Republican sources said last night they were deeply cognisant of the huge public outcry at events in Limerick and the detrimental effects on Sinn Fein.
They also concede that there is strong public as well as media scepticism condemning the IRA denial of involvement, though all senior figures in the party have publicly insisted to date they believe the organisation's statement.
Political pressure on Sinn Fein intensified yesterday in the wake of the refusal of the party's vice president, Mr Pat Doherty, and the ardchomhairle member, Mr Martin McGuinness, to condemn the murder on television.
In a bitter attack on the part the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton said he had been "deeply shocked" by Mr Doherty's approach on Monday night's Questions and Answers on RTE. He warned Sinn Fein there was no half way house between democratic politics and violence.
"His failure to utter the words `I condemn' displays an ambiguity in Sinn Fein's attitude in relation to support for the Garda Siochana which is unacceptable from anyone who stood for the .... For the vice president of Sinn Fein to find himself unable to condemn this killing is a deeply worrying phenomenon. I believe that a clear and unambiguous statement is called for from Sinn Fein".
There was cross party condemnation of the assailants of Det Garda McCabe and Det Garda Ben O'Sullivan in the Dail yesterday.
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Beitie Ahern, said he knew he spoke for all members of the House in condemning and deploring the murder of Det Garda McCabe and the wounding of his colleague