Sinn Fein's Pat Cullen refuses to condemn IRA

A Sinn Fein candidate in the upcoming general election has refused to condemn IRA attacks.

Pat Cullen stepped down from her role in the Royal College of Nursing in May after announcing her plans to run for Sinn Fein in the General Election.

During a Radio Ulster interview, Ms Cullen was challenged by the UUP’s Diana Armstrong to condemn IRA attacks.

"I’m thinking of the nurses who perished in the Enniskillen bomb and the Omagh bomb, and I think we have yet to hear a condemnation of those two extreme attacks within this district, so no, I’m not convinced," Ms Armstrong said.

"I’ve asked for clarification from Pat Cullen on her stance as to Sinn Fein and their affiliation with the IRA, and I would like to hear a condemnation of those atrocities," she added.

Ms Cullen replied: "Look I’ve said very clearly those were very dark days. As a community nurse I’ve held the hands of many people who lived through those periods."

"I’ve felt I've heard and I've seen their trauma. I've seen what it does to them. Let's not go back there. Let's move forward and bring prosperity and hope to the people," she said.

The UK general election will take place on 4 July.

With the deadline for nominations to run in the election now closed, BBC News NI have compiled a complete list of all candidates standing in Northern Ireland.