BELFAST, Northern Ireland — An aide to President Clinton's special envoy on Ireland denied reports she is romantically linked to a convicted Irish Republican Army bomber.
Martha Pope, chief of staff to former Sen. George Mitchell, talked with reporters as she arrived Monday for the latest round of Northern Ireland peace talks Mitchell is chairing.
Pope denied any involvement with Gerry Kelly, a member of the IRA's political wing, Sinn Fein.
"Indeed, I've never met Mr. Kelly," Pope said.
Kelly also denied the report, which first appeared in the British Mail on Sunday.
Mitchell is trying to get pro-British unionists and pro-Irish nationalists to agree on a settlement to end the 27-year conflict.
