THE Daily Mail has a story comprising an incredible 1,347 words that attempts to link Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams to a man convicted of smuggling fuel across the Irish border. Adams’ Dundalk election campaign headquarters is rented off a company owned by Hugh Morgan, who pleaded guilty to fuel smuggling and tax evasion at Belfast Crown Court in June 1998. Yes, that’s right – nearly 13 years ago. There is absolutely no need to go into the minutiae of the story or read the full 1,347 words to get to the nitty-gritty. It can be broken down into five short questions and five shorter answers based on information gleaned from this mammoth text:
- Does Gerry Adams have any links whatsoever with Hugh Morgan? No.
- Is there any suggestion of impropriety? No.
- Is any official body investigating any links between Mr Adams and Mr Morgan or suggestions of impropriety? No.
- Is there any suggestion the office lease or Sinn Fein’s arrangements are anything other than lawful? No.
- In that case, is this actually a story? No.
