SINN Fein North Kerry Deputy, Martin Ferris, said the arrest of Gerry Adams last night, to answer questions in relation to the disappearance and murder of Jean McConville,  was “politically motivated”.

The Ardfert politician was speaking on Radio Kerry’s ‘Kerry Today’ programme on Thursday morning.

“This was politically motivated, the intent is to damage Sinn Fein in the six counties and the 26 counties in the weeks ahead,” he told host Jerry O’Sullivan.

“What I find very worrying is that three weeks out from an election – despite the fact that Gerry has made himself available to the PSNI two months ago to answer questions – they [now] seek to speak to him on that issue,” he said.

Deputy Ferris believes the recent arrests made in relation to the McConville case came from the Boston Tapes issue.

“A lot of that [the arrests] is emanating from the Boston Tapes, of which most of the contributors to the Boston tapes, to my knowledge, are people who are opposed to the Peace Process, Gerry Adams and the Sinn Fein Leadership. To my knowledge all bar one who have been arrested in relation to this have not been charged,” he said.

When asked by O’Sullivan if the leadership of Gerry Adams is holding the party back, Deputy Ferris said: “Gerry Adams is an excellent leader and has full support of all of Sinn Fein right across this island.”