The daughter of a mother of 10 that was murdered by the IRA is suing Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.

Helen McKendry claims she is not suing Adams for money.

"It's not for money, it is for the truth. Gerry Adams has to come out and tell people the truth," said McKendry.

The civil action was taken after it was revealed in a new book that Adams ordered the killing of the catholic mother of ten Jean McConville.

Adams has "rejected absolutely" any involvement in the murder of McConville in 1972.

Adams has denied he was an IRA commander in the 1970s and claims there is no truth to the claims made in the book "Voices From the Grave".

The allegations were made by late former IRA commander Brendan Hughes.

Speaking about the issue of the disappeared, Adams said, "The issue of the 'disappeared' is a terrible legacy of the conflict. A grievous wrong has been done to these families."

In the book Adams was accused of orchestrating the Good Friday bombings and several other atrocities.

Adams said that he had encouraged republicans to help the authorities find the remains of the "disappeared."

"The proposal to do this was initiated by me after I was approached by some of the families involved," said Adams.

It has always been rumored that Adams was a former IRA commander but it was never claimed that he ordered the death of McConville.

"This is not a wild allegation by a bitter opponent," said former republican activist Eamon McCann.

"They (Sinn Fein and Gerry Adams) are making a big mistake by dismissing it (the accusation) as coming from an alcoholic with a damaged personality.
 

"There are many people seriously messed up by the cruelty and the futility of what they did.

"If they did it for a great cause, they might be able to live with it."

Northern political parties have taken a passive approach to the allegations and it is unknown if the allegations will affect Sinn Fein in the upcoming Westminster elections.