Sinn Fein’s Gerry Adams receives death threat

Northern Ireland’s Sinn Fein party leader Gerry Adams has received a “credible” death threat after his release following four days of questioning over a 1970s murder case.

The party said Monday that Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) warned his family of a “serious threat from criminals,” to Adams, who was not home at the time.

According to the party, another senior member, Bobby Storey, was also warned of death threats.

The threats came a day after Adams was released from custody without charges following four days of questioning by detectives over the killing of Jean McConville during ethnic clashes known as “the Troubles” in 1972.

Adams, who has been the Sinn Fein president since 1983, has denied any involvement in the killing.

The Sinn Fein leader was a leading figure in helping bring about the 1998 Good Friday agreement, which ended three decades of violent ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland.

Adams said attempts to draw him into the McConville case are a malicious campaign to link him with the IRA as a member, which is an allegation that he strongly denies.

Following Adams arrest on April 30, Martin McGuiness, Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister and member of Sinn Fein, condemned the action, saying the arrest was “politically motivated” and “inextricably linked” to the upcoming local and European elections.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has denied any political motivation behind the arrest of Adams.

Sinn Fein party wants Northern Ireland to break away from the United Kingdom and instead join the Republic of Ireland in the south.