Changes

== Republican activity ==

== Republican activity ==

It has been claimed that Adams was an important figure in the [[IRA]] from the early 1970s<ref>Moloney, E. (2002). A Secret History of the IRA.  New York: WJ Wiley.</ref>  He was interned without trial in 1971 but released in July 1972 to participate in negotiations with the British government.  Adams has consistently denied ever being an IRA member.<ref>Cowan, R. (October 1, 2002). Adams denies IRA links as book calls him genius.  ''The Guardian''.</ref>

Adams was an important figure in the [[IRA]] from the early 1970s<ref>http://www.ivanfoster.org/page.asp?ira</ref>  He was interned without trial in 1971 but released in July 1972 to participate in negotiations with the British government.  Adams has consistently denied ever being an IRA member.<ref>Cowan, R. (October 1, 2002). Adams denies IRA links as book calls him genius.  ''The Guardian''.</ref>

In 1983, Adams became the first member of Sinn Fein to be elected to the UK [[House of Commons]] since 1918.  Sinn Fein had generally not contested UK elections during that period, as a protest against UK rule in Northern Ireland.  Adams is an abstentionist MP, meaning that he has never taken his seat in the House of Commons, consistent with Sinn Fein policy.

In 1983, Adams became the first member of Sinn Fein to be elected to the UK [[House of Commons]] since 1918.  Sinn Fein had generally not contested UK elections during that period, as a protest against UK rule in Northern Ireland.  Adams is an abstentionist MP, meaning that he has never taken his seat in the House of Commons, consistent with Sinn Fein policy.

In March 1984 Adams survived an assassination attempt by members of the [[Ulster Freedom Fighters]], or UFF, a terrorist group dedicated to maintaining the link between Northern Ireland and the UK.  The UFF members were arrested shortly after the shooting by undercover officers of the [[Royal Irish Constabulary]], and Adams has claimed that the police were aware that the assassination attempt was planned and allowed it to happen<ref>Maguire, K. (December 14, 2006).  Adams wants 1984 shooting probe.  ''BBC''.</ref>

In March 1984 Adams survived an assassination attempt by members of the [[Ulster Freedom Fighters]], or UFF, a terrorist group dedicated to maintaining the link between Northern Ireland and the UK.  The UFF members were arrested shortly after the shooting by undercover officers of the [[Royal Irish Constabulary]], and Adams has claimed that the police were aware that the assassination attempt was planned and allowed it to happen<ref>Maguire, K. (December 14, 2006).  Adams wants 1984 shooting probe.  ''BBC''.</ref>