How Sinn Féin leader has found it hard to avoid negative publicity

In 2000, Gerry Adams found out that his brother Liam had sexually abused his niece Áine over six years but it wasn't until 2007 that the Sinn Féin president engaged with police.

The DPP in Northern Ireland carried out a review as to whether Mr Adams should be charged with withholding information, but eventually decided that he should not be prosecuted.

Arrest in relation to murder

In April 2014, Mr Adams was arrested by detectives investigating the murder of mother-of-10 Jean McConville. The widow was abducted, shot dead and buried at a Co Louth beach in 1972. Mr Adams was questioned for four days before being released without charge. Sinn Féin made accusations of political policing.

Hold the editor at gunpoint 'joke'

At a dinner in New York in November 2014, the Louth TD joked about a gun being placed to the head of the editor of the Irish Independent in the 1920s.

The comments sparked outrage in media circles, especially as two journalists from the Independent group were previously murdered for their work.

Mairia Cahill

When Mairia Cahill told her story of rape and being subjected to an IRA kangaroo court to BBC's 'Spotlight' programme in October 2014, Sinn Féin set out to discredit her. Mr Adams denied any kangaroo court was held. Later he claimed the abuse was carried about by her uncle, saying "most abuse happens in families". Ms Cahill pointed out that her alleged abuser, Martin Morris, was not a blood relative.

Paudie McGahon

In 2015 another IRA abuse victim, Paudie McGahon, came forward to tell his story of being put through a kangaroo court. He was heavily critical of Mr Adams's response. Subsequently Mr Adams was anonymously given a list of names including the man alleged to have sexually abused Mr McGahon. The list was passed on to gardaí.

The IRA

Last year a report by the PSNI and MI5 concluded that the structures of the PIRA remain in existence and that the Army Council oversees Sinn Féin with an overarching strategy. Members of the PIRA have been directed to support Sinn Féin, including electioneering. Mr Adams called the report "a serious piece of mischief-making". He has always denied being in the IRA.

Twitter

The Sinn Féin leader tweets regularly on his teddy bear's life and his rubber ducks. However, he landed himself at the centre of a racism row after tweeting about the film 'Django Unchained'. He later apologised for his use of the N-word while comparing the struggle against slavery in the US to the plight of Irish nationalists.

Row over White House security

Mr Adams missed out on St Patrick's Day celebrations at the White House earlier this year after being subjected to a lengthy security check. While the White House apologised, Mr Adams sparked further controversy by comparing himself to civil rights campaigner Rosa Parks, saying: "Sinn Féin will not sit at the back of the bus for anyone."