Irish American business leader Bill Flynn has emerged as the benefactor who paid for controversial prostate medical treatment for Gerry Adams in the US.
The Sinn Fein president has confirmed in an interview with the Irish state broadcaster RTE that multi-millionaire Flynn Chairman Emeritus of insurance giant Mutual of America, paid for his private healthcare.
The Sunday Independent reports that Adams believes the cost of the operation was almost $40,000.
He only underwent the private procedure after Flynn had offered to pick up the tab.
Adams explained: “He said to me ‘Get this done, I’ll pick up the tab.'”
The Sinn Fein leader has been branded a hypocrite by opponents for shunning public health care in Ireland to undergo surgery in the States.
But Adams argued: “I am not a hypocrite and was simply undergoing a procedure that was not available in the North.
“I have had a long-standing and very, very painful complaint. And I go back and forth to the States once or twice a year. One of my friends introduced me to his doctor who was dealing with these issues and he recommended that I should have a process of a particular kind, in fact he said it was long overdue.”
Describing his condition as ‘very, very painful,' Adams added “I was in constant pain. I’ve been in constant pain for the last maybe five years.
“I checked with my doctor and at that time the treatment of that kind was not available in the North.
“My doctor here quite rightly recommended that I get the very best treatment possible and accepted the US consultant’s recommendation that it should be done with speed.”
When asked how he had paid for the operation, which cost almost his entire annual salary from Sinn Fein, Adams revealed Flynn to be his benefactor.
He said: “I didn’t pay for it. A very, very good friend of mine, a man called Bill Flynn, very kindly paid for it. I haven’t told anybody that before.
“Myself and my wife and my family are eternally grateful for that. I’m still in recovery but I am doing very well.
“He was a key figure in the Northern Ireland Peace Process, chairing the National Committee on American Foreign Policy and helping to broker the IRA ceasefire.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Paddy O | May 18, 2013, 04:42 PM EDT
Gladwin Adams is an extremist He has seen more blood than any surgeon
pinkdaylily | Feb 28, 2013, 08:42 AM EST
Mr Adams travels frequently on state business.. Many other political leaders get medical treatment in other countries including the US.. Mr Adams isn't alone.. children and others who have medical conditions are sometimes treated in the US pro bono.. please keep to political REAL news and stop the innuendo and salacious garbage.
pilib04 | Feb 14, 2013, 09:50 AM EST
Bob McBride charges that "Flynn scams people on rip off insurance policies..." Talk about a false and malicious statement. No truth whatsoever. Flynn is retired CEO of Mutual of America. MOA is one of the best retirement companies that exist. I am speaking from experience.
seanomelb | Feb 12, 2013, 09:09 PM EST
Your question is flawed Seamus60 Therefore I cannot respond.
merefalow | Feb 12, 2013, 08:53 AM EST
so what,whats the problem?
seamus60 | Feb 11, 2013, 08:48 PM EST
Seano. Any reply on who`s anti Nationalist apart from a lot of shinners ?
seamus60 | Feb 11, 2013, 08:44 PM EST
Stay well Gerry Britian needs you.
greensod | Feb 11, 2013, 01:38 PM EST
Gerry:Get well soon,the country needs you.
irishfree1916 | Feb 11, 2013, 12:10 AM EST
Bill Flynn is a Gentleman and Christian who saw a need and stepped forward to assist An Irish Statesman in his time of need! End of Story! Jerry O'Keefe Cork Born Califor and past AOH National Director
seanomelb | Feb 10, 2013, 09:34 PM EST
How soon they forget paul Hogan. There are many orange terrorists who would love to kill Adams,remember thye've already tried. God bless Maire Drumm
bob mcbride | Feb 10, 2013, 08:29 PM EST
And an arsehole!
bob mcbride | Feb 10, 2013, 08:28 PM EST
And an arsehole!
bob mcbride | Feb 10, 2013, 08:28 PM EST
And an arsehole!
bob mcbride | Feb 10, 2013, 08:23 PM EST
Flynn scams people on rip off insurance policies in thetates and helps pay for adams surgery. How many old people have you screwed out of there medical benefits Mr.Flynn? You are a hypocrite Gerry. Not every northerner has rip off insurance executive freinds!
Joe Glackin | Feb 10, 2013, 07:42 PM EST
Gerry Adams could not have used security as a concern because of the Political implications. Im sure theser were a major concern to him which are quite obvious. When canvassing for Elections in Dundalk there were at least 1 big estate he didn't venture into.There are a lot of Republican extremists who would be quite capable of harming him.I respect his humility in the action he took and do not see anything wrong with taking up an offer to have excellent treatment,regardless.Many do not like his position regarding the implementation of the GFA alone and actions taken to avoid his failings. It must also be understood not many know what gun the Brits have at his head .
Searlit | Feb 10, 2013, 07:25 PM EST
I'm glad he's well.
seamus60 | Feb 10, 2013, 06:24 PM EST
Paul. Your last post implied something about waiting time and nothing to do with security, an excuse that has also gone right over Adams head or he would have used it. Why would anyone from a loyalist perspective want to harm Adams in a hospital bed or anywhere else as UNLIKE Marie he has copperfasted the union.
Paul Hogan | Feb 10, 2013, 06:16 PM EST
Seamus; Do you remember what happened to Marie Drumm while in a Belfast hospital?
seamus60 | Feb 10, 2013, 06:16 PM EST
Seanmor. Hows that Irish language act going in the North ?
Paul Hogan | Feb 10, 2013, 06:06 PM EST
Seamus. If I was Gerry Adams I would not trust going under anaesthetics in Belfast. He would probably not wake up.
seamus60 | Feb 10, 2013, 05:53 PM EST
Paul. Adams didn`t have to wait in Ireland as theres a private practice in Belfast doing the same treatment at a fraction of the cost.
seamus60 | Feb 10, 2013, 05:51 PM EST
Seano. You should make your mind up on whats right and whats wrong and then stick with it. Whats anti Nationalist about questioning a politicians differential as to what he practices and what he preachs ? Why would any decent human being wish anything against a Bishop who covered up peadophilia ?
seanomelb | Feb 10, 2013, 05:21 PM EST
The hata Gerry anti nationalist trogs are on the hunt again. Why would any decent human being demean and wish bad health to Gerry or anyone else for that matter.
AnPiobaire | Feb 10, 2013, 05:04 PM EST
Ireland owes Bill Flynn a great deal, and even more now, for helping Gerry Adams in his time of need. Thank you, Bill and get well soon, Gerry.
Paul Hogan | Feb 10, 2013, 04:59 PM EST
Gerry was smart. If he had waited in Ireland for the operation Kenny would still have him on a trolley in Cavan General Hospital.
seamus60 | Feb 10, 2013, 03:18 PM EST
Shamrocks. Its been here for longer than Gerry has had the problem that could only be done with such great urgency. Any way it was only a few weeks back that Gerry was telling everyone it was his private business and didn`t need explaining.
shamrocks | Feb 10, 2013, 02:45 PM EST
Someone decides to help out a friend. What a sin! Interesting to read the "hypocrite" omments. Maybe they should look in the mirror. Hope Gerry heals well,and works to bring this technology to Ireland.
anglo-norman | Feb 10, 2013, 01:58 PM EST
Och Bill I make enough money to pay for it myself why don't you offer to pay for someone in Ireland who cannot afford it!?
A mothers love | Feb 10, 2013, 11:50 AM EST
Wouldn't we all love a friend who was willing to drop $ 40k on us! Flynn clearly has money to burn, how about giving that money to Northern Ireland's health care system? Or is Gerry's prostrate more worthy than any other father in the north
P O'Neill | Feb 10, 2013, 11:42 AM EST
He keeps saying that the op wasn't available in the north , what about the republic where he is a sitting TD? The man is a hipocrite .
cillowen | Feb 10, 2013, 11:19 AM EST
the haters must be mad as hell with such good news. Flynn's awesome.
Rebelforce | Feb 10, 2013, 10:58 AM EST
Gerry Adams is one of the few Irish political leaders to be proud of. Money well spent. Irish America sends out our very best wishes to Gerry Adams for good health and gratitude and respect for the generosity of Bill Flynn.
solasduran | Feb 10, 2013, 10:15 AM EST
COmplete and speedy recovery to you, and strength.
pilib04 | Feb 10, 2013, 09:57 AM EST
Go raibh maith agat, Seanmor. The haters are always going to hate.
pilib04 | Feb 10, 2013, 09:55 AM EST
Bill Flynn has been a long time friend of the Irish peace process. He was instrumental in bringing together Gerry Adams and the Clinton White House pre-Good Friday Agreement. His company, Mutual of America continues to be known as people-friendly, employee-friendly and socially conscious from the top down.
handsome68 | Feb 10, 2013, 09:47 AM EST
Doesn't say what kind of prostate surgery this was. I've had prostate procedure -- seeds implanted, and am a 9 year survivor so far. His sounds like it was more advanced. Still, oen of the "smoking guns" is not included in this story.
mastersonjp | Feb 10, 2013, 09:10 AM EST
another irish political leader gets a dig out. Move over Be3rtie Ahern
Seanmor | Feb 10, 2013, 09:08 AM EST
No matter what Adams does the media is unrelenting in their condemnatiion of the most powerful politician who favors full sovereignty for the whole Irish nation and the preservation of the native culture, and the revival of the national language. If Adams primary goal is to establish a soviet-style dictatorship in Ireland, why did a multi-millionaire busisnessman pay for his medical treatment?
Nicopernicus | Feb 10, 2013, 08:51 AM EST
No story-None, makes no difference what you think of him personally.