Trevor Lunn MLA said: “I would like to offer my support to Mairia Cahill. She is the victim in this matter and I admire her determination and attitude in speaking about what was obviously a traumatic incident.
“The republican movement has tried to cover up these allegations and to silence Mairia. It is to her credit that she is strong enough to carry on in the face of those who have tried to smear her name.
“There are many unanswered questions about abuse carried out by members of the republican movement, including the decision of the IRA to move abusers across the border and whether they prevented victims from contacting the Police.
“It is important that any allegation of child sexual abuse is reported to the Police and that the victims are given support and justice.
“Mairia has bravely shone a light into the murky world of a terrorist organisation. A world of silence, protection and misplaced loyalty. A world evidently where the rights of an innocent victim are secondary to the interests of the cause, be it the IRA or Sinn Fein. I hope she achieves the closure she deserves.”
ENDS