The independent review into how sex-abuse cases had been prosecuted in the North of Ireland has raised serious questions for Gerry Adams and the Sinn Féin leadership, Fianna Fáil has said.

Reacting to the review by Sir Keir Starmer of the manner in which the cases has been handled by the prosecution service, party leader Micheál Martin also said the report fully vindicated Belfast woman Maíria Cahill.

“Over 14 findings, the report found unacceptable delays, inadequate communication and insufficient consideration of the sequencing of the cases involved,” he said. “The report vindicates Maíria Cahill, who bravely stood up to ongoing abuse and spin by Sinn Féin.

“Consistent claims by Sinn Féin that the court case had found all suspects not guilty have been given their proper context by this report. The unacceptable delays and weakening of the case led to the withdrawal of the three women from the process.”

He said it directly contradicted Sinn Féin claims that the case had no basis. "I welcome the apology by Barra McGrory, the head of the prosecuting service in Northern Ireland, in accepting the serious failings that let down these vulnerable women," Mr Martin added.

Turning to Mr Adams, the Fianna Fáil leader claimed he needed to answer questions about the "cover-up of sexual abuse in the Provisional movement. It's time for Gerry Adams to own up and come clean on the scale of cover-ups and kangaroo courts."

The Labour Party also said the findings of the review by Sir Keir, the former DPP for England and Wales, justified Ms Cahill's decision to waive her anonymity and go public about her claims of abuse by a senior member of the IRA.

Labour TD for Dublin Mid-West Joanna Tuffy said Ms Cahill had to "go through the horror of abuse and a crude investigation and cover-up by the IRA. Her decision to highlight her case in public and lead a campaign for justice for her and other victims was inspiring. "In doing so the DPP agreed to review her case, which has backed up her position that there were serious flaws in the legal investigation," she said.