Irish warn Howard on Sinn Fein

The Irish community in Australia has sent the prime minister a warning:

AUSTRALIA'S Irish community will push ahead with plans for a fundraising visit by Gerry Adams or another senior Sinn Fein figure, despite a move by the US to ban fundraising by the IRA's political arm.

Irish community leaders have warned the Howard Government of a political backlash if it followed the US.

Sinn Fein sources estimated $250,000 had been raised for the party over the past five years in Australia.

Let us hope that Irish-Americans send an equally strong message to their elected representatives.