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Paul Faith/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Liam Adams ‘laughs with prison guards’ as he is sentenced to 16 years in prison

The brother of the Sinn Féin leader was also given two years on probation upon his release.

Updated 22.50pm

THE BROTHER OF Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Liam Adams had previously been found guilty of abusing his eldest daughter more than 30 years ago.

Adams was sentenced to 16 years in prison, with two years probation upon his release. If he serves his full term, he will be 74 when he is released.

Adams, 58, laughed with prison guards as he was taken from Belfast Crown Court to begin his sentence.

His victim, Aine, now 40, watched from the public gallery and did not speak to reporters afterward.

She testified against her father after accusing Sinn Fein, and specifically her uncle Gerry, of trying to silence her and save the party embarrassment.

The Rape Crisis Network welcomed the length of the sentence.

Fiona Neary RCNI Director said: “Áine Adams has spent decades holding firm to the truth about her father’s abuse of her in incredibly difficult circumstances. Today that truth has been heard and vindicated at every level. The 16-year sentence given to Liam Adams is a serious and clear signal that acknowledges the full scale of the abuse he subjected Áine to.”

AP contributed additional reporting

Read: Liam Adams found guilty of rape and sexual abuse

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155 Comments
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    Mute fitszpatrick
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 3:56 PM

    Gallagher is one dodgy geezer. Avoid like the plague

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    Mute Gis Bayertz
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 8:51 PM

    Exactly

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    Mute Oil Foster
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 3:51 PM

    Methinks that me gallagher doth protest too much

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    Mute Charles Mark
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 4:40 PM

    How magnanimous of Michael D not to have any problem with how the media is treating him. He is clearly the preferred choice of the mainstream media and has been spared the type of scrutiny to which all of the others have been subject.It looks now like one-time media darling Senator Norris was dragged across the nomination line to add spice to the campaign and therefore sell more papers, attract more viewers and listeners. How cynical! How typical!

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    Mute Michael Cuthbert
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 4:26 PM

    ‘Secret FF candidate’? Easy enough to deny that so…

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    Mute Martin Smith
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 5:39 PM

    Funny how the media forgets that Mary McAleese was a FF nominated candidate and when put forward for a second term by FF all parties supported her..Why have the print media give mitchell such an easy ride. how come we do not see the stories regarding his speech on rejoining the commonwealth,or the irish people would be stupid to reject the lisbon treaty a second time.Michael D Higgins has a past yet we do not see it in the media.

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    Mute Sean C
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    Oct 23rd 2011, 1:33 PM

    That was before FF became a pariah writing off the economy.

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    Mute Annmarie Donoghue
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 5:41 PM

    I ave 2 agree wit Martin mcguinness I think he was treated so unfairly by all media wen his secrets were out in the open before he went for president,I think we should be more werry of the other Sean is a true ff man Norris would only b a joke,Dana is speaking for the church which we don’t want 2 go there,higgans way 2 old,gay wot can I say out 2 ram us for every penny wot has fg done for us since they went into power.

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    Mute Gis Bayertz
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 8:53 PM

    Wot????

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    Mute Sean C
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    Oct 23rd 2011, 1:34 PM

    My brain hurts !

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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 11:38 PM

    Gay Mitchell really is a piece of work. I heard his ‘gay’ remark and Norris was quite right to put him in his place .

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    Mute Frank2521
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    Oct 23rd 2011, 1:27 AM

    Baldy Bertie – of course he denied he is from the same litter as the rest of the FFers. Denial is part of their DNA.

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    Mute Charles Mark
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 6:31 PM

    Could it be that the people want a little humility in their President?

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    Mute David Abbott
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    Oct 23rd 2011, 1:51 AM

    It’s worth noting that Mary McAleese wasn’t nominated by FF in 2004. She nominated herself as permitted under the constitution and was therefore independent from any political parties. She had the support of at least Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein

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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 10:58 PM

    All the one to me……its nothing more than a pipe and slippers gig…couldn’t give a shite either way..ain t voting!

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    Mute Sheelagh Hanly
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    Oct 22nd 2011, 11:48 PM

    People who don’t vote give up their right to comment.

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    Mute Brno Barking
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    Oct 23rd 2011, 11:17 PM

    PPPPPPPPPPPPPPLEASE Jebus let it end soon.

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