Gerry Adams dismisses claims that IRA wanted to kill Bono
"That's news to me."
Gerry Adams has dismissed claims that the Irish Republican Army wanted to kill Bono at the height of U2's popularity.
The former Sinn Féin leader responded to the claims in his column in the Anderstown News, based in Belfast.
“I understand from press reports that he says his wife Ali and he were targets for the IRA," Adams said.
"That’s news to me and I’m sure to anyone else close to republican thinking back in the day."
“Bono is also quoted in some news reports claiming that I hate him. Nope, Paul, not me. You must be mixing me up with someone else.
"I don’t hate anyone. It’s a wasted negative emotion. I do detest imperialism – a good old fashioned word. Greed. Cruelty. Unbridled capitalism. War. Poverty.
"I believe in freedom. Solidarity. Equality. Community. Socialism. The Arts.”
Adams went on to say that he was a fan of U2 and Bono's music, and was a fan of his activism.
However, the former Sinn Féin leader criticised the U2 singer's comments surrounding the Troubles, particularly during the 80s and 90s.
“Some of your commentary on the conflict here was shrill, ill-informed and unhelpful,” he said.
“However, you weren’t on your own. You echoed the Irish establishment line. It was the wrong line for decades. A failure of governance and the abandonment of responsibility to lead a process of peace and justice.
"Thankfully that changed. But it took a long time. Despite this some of us got through it all. With or without you.”
Bono, real name Paul Hewson, discusses the alleged incident in his new book, SURRENDER: 40 Songs, One Story, which is due to launch next week (1 November).
During a conversation with The Sunday Times at Cheltenham Literature Festival, the singer said that he was approached by special branch officers of the groups to inform him that he and his wife were targets, with Ali being the primary target.
“I still take that badly,” he wrote in response.
