THE Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, was said to be still "sore and bruised" last night after he was involved in a two car collision in Co Louth on Wednesday evening.
Mr Adams has postponed a number of engagements over the coming days. But his injuries would not affect his involvement in the current delicate stage of the peace process, a Sinn Fein spokesman said.
Mr Adams was travelling from Dublin to Belfast when the accident occurred. His driver took some country roads after leaving Dundalk, and at a bend collided with an oncoming car, a spokesman for Mr Adams said.
"Both cars were very badly damaged, and Gerry and his driver and the two occupants of the other car were lucky not to suffer more serious injuries." He said the occupants of the other car were also bruised.
Mr Adams was treated in hospital in Dundalk, but shortly afterwards he and his driver resumed their journey. On the Belfast side of Newry, they were detained by the Royal Irish Regiment for about half an hour, the spokesman said.
"He rang me up on his mobile from the checkpoint, sounding fed up. I think he is a bit tired of British soldiers asking him `What is your name, Mr Adams?'".
