A Junior Minister says the Brian Stack murder allegations are some of the most serious to have ever been made against politicians in the State.

Dara Murphy has added his voice to those criticising the Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.

He says Mr Adams’ refusal to publicly name an IRA member implicated in the death of prison officer Brian Stack is “dangerous and sinister”.

Mr Adams says he has given the name to the Garda Commissioner, but Mr Murphy does not think that is enough.

He said: “It’s laughable, but it’s also very dangerous and very sinister. They are trying to distract and deflect from the reality that these are some of the most serious allegations that have ever been made against democratically elected politicians in this state.

“But Sinn Féin has continuously tried to seek to unilaterally, themselves, determine how the law should be interpreted.”