Sinn Fein criticised over sale of 'sniper' t-shirts

Unionists and nationalists have joined forces to condemn contents sold within the revamped Sinn Fein website which was officially launched this week.

There was cause for much anger within local political circles following the launch as users can now purchase 'Sniper at Work' and IRA 'Undefeated Army' t-shirts through the party's online store.

Senior Ulster Unionist member, David McNarry described the contents as "disgusting, provocative and ill-befitting of a so-called political party". He also confirmed that he had lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Constable's office on the grounds that the selling of such t-shirts is seditious.

In a statement, Mr McNarry said: "I and many other Unionists find this disgusting, provocative and highly offensive. Victims of IRA terrorism will recoil in horror that such t-shirts even exist and the fact that a so-called political party can fill its coffers on the basis of such imagery is a further degrading slap in the face.

"We need an urgent explanation from the Sinn Fein leadership. Who sanctioned the selling of these t-shirts in their on-line shop and furthermore does this imagery mean that Sinn Fein are proud and endorse the actions of these IRA snipers?"

The SDLP, meanwhile, described the selling of such memorabilia as "rather depressing". Party spokesperson, Eugene McMenamin said that while it is important for political parties to look to the future in terms of meeting the communication needs of people throughout the world, Sinn Fein's decision to sell such items showed they were intent on living in the past.

He said: "As the message on the first page of the Sinn Fein website from Gerry Adams talks about building an Ireland of equals it is rather depressing to click on subsequent pages to find this type of merchandise being sold.

"People will undoubtedly ask what the real message is on the Sinn Fein website. Is it really about building an Ireland of equals or is it about ignoring the needs and disrespecting the views of large sections of the community."

As well as the aforementioned t-shirts, visitors to the website can also buy CD's, books and DVD's ranging from the 1916 Easter Rising to the 1981 Hunger Strikes.

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