Gerry Adams donates to ‘good causes' after BBC pays 100,000 euro damages
The broadcaster lost a defamation case earlier this year after Mr Adams took them to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme and an accompanying online story.
They contained an allegation that Mr Adams sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson.
Mr Adams denied any involvement.
In May, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour and awarded him 100,000 euro after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article.
Johnsons Solicitors, which represented Mr Adams in his action, announced on Tuesday that the BBC has discharged the order of the court in relation to the compensation to their client.
A BBC spokesperson said: 'We can confirm the BBC has now paid Gerry Adams 100,000 euros in damages as required by the court.'
Mr Adams said he intended to donate any damages awarded to good causes.
The law firm said donations have been made to 'Unicef for the children of Gaza', local GAA organisations, a support group for republican prisoners and their families called An Cumman Cabhrach, to the Irish language sector, to the 'homeless and Belfast based-youth, mental health and suicide prevention projects' and others.
The BBC, which was found by the jury not to have acted in good faith nor in a fair and reasonable way, was also ordered to pay the former Sinn Fein leader's legal costs, potentially in the order of millions.
However, it is understood the final amount of costs have yet to be determined.
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Scottish Sun
a minute ago
- Scottish Sun
More councils to try & block asylum seeker migrants from hotels in their area after landmark Epping ruling
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MORE councils are now trying to block migrants from hotels in their local area after being spurred on by the landmark Epping victory. The ruling from High Court judge Mr Justice Eyre will force the owners of The Bell Hotel in Epping to remove migrants from the site before September 12. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Police officers stand outside the The Bell Hotel Credit: AFP 5 Jubilant protesters gather outside the Bell hotel following the court victory 5 Protests had erupted outside the hotel after one of its guests was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl Credit: Reuters 5 Activists were seen celebrating after the court ruling yesterday Epping Forest District Council had launched the punchy legal challenge after protests erupted outside The Bell Hotel in recent weeks. Public anger grew after a migrant living at the hotel was charged with sexual assault. Now, a Mr Justice Eyre has ruled that the hotel might have breached planning rules by housing migrants at their site in Essex, rather than paying customers. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told The Sun that the court's ruling yesterday throws Labour's asylum policy into 'chaos'. Now, other local authorities appear to be following the example of the small Essex council. The Borough of Broxbourne Council in Hertfordshire said it would take legal advice as a "matter of urgency" on whether it could undertake similar action. The local authority is seeking to remove migrants from The Delta Marriott Hotel in Cheshunt, saying it had opposed their placement in the hotel "from the outset". At the time, the council was advised that action to prevent asylum seekers being housed in the hotel was unlikely to be successful. But now, spurred on by the success seen in Epping, the council plans to take legal advice ahead of taking action to remove migrants from the hotel. Corina Gander, Tory leader of Broxbourne Borough Council, said the Epping verdict had "given us this massive boost and precedent that we can do something now". Protesters arrested near migrant hotel after 'asylum seeker guest' arrested on suspicion of assault She will be writing to the Home Office in the wake of the High Court ruling today to seek an assurance that no asylum seekers from the Bell Hotel in Epping will be moved to Cheshunt. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has also indicated the 12 councils where Reform UK was the largest party would consider legal challenges following Tuesday's ruling. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Farage said the local authorities would do "everything in their power to follow Epping's lead". He added: "The good people of Epping must inspire similar protests around Britain. "Wherever people are concerned about the threat posed by young undocumented males living in local hotels and who are free to walk their streets, they should follow the example of the town in Essex." Ahead of yesterday's court ruling, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper attempted to make an 11th hour attempt to get the case dismissed - but was refused by the judge. A lawyer acting for the Home Office had warned the decision to remove migrants would 'substantially impact' its ability to house asylum seekers in hotels across the UK. Edward Brown KC claimed it 'runs the risk of acting as an impetus for further violent protests'. Border Security Minister Angela Eagle said they would 'carefully consider' the judgment. She said: 'This Government inherited a broken asylum system, at the peak there were over 400 hotels open. We will continue working with local authorities and communities to address legitimate concerns. Our work continues to close all asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament. 'We will carefully consider this judgment. As this matter remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.' Following the ruling, Leader of Epping Forest District Council Chris Whitbread hailed the temporary ban as an important victory for councils across the country. Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice, the Tory councillor said: 'This is a decision that's important to Epping Forest, but also important to have councils up and down the country, and it shows that the Government cannot ignore planning rules, just like no-one else can ignore planning rules.' He continued: 'One of the great things about Epping Forest, and one of the things I want to get back to, is Epping Forest is a great district and a great community, and there is so much that we can be proud of.' He added: 'This is only the start of a process and subject to appeal, we recognise that, but all things being equal, the Bell Hotel will be empty by September 12, and that's really important for the students, residents, businesses of Epping Forest. 'What we do have to be aware of, we have a responsibility now, and in recent weeks, we have seen the protests that started off quite violently become peaceful protests, run by the people of Epping Forest. 'What I call upon the residents tonight is if they decide to go outside the Bell Hotel, don't protest, don't over-celebrate. This is the beginning. It is not the end. 'We have a lot of work to do, and we will do everything we can, as I promised the full council, we will leave no stone unturned to work in the interest of Epping Forest. 'The Government have to address the bigger issue of the illegal asylum problem, but in Epping Forest, we will stand up for our residents and we will do our best on their behalf.' Not all councils, however, are pursuing the same path as Epping Forest. The leader of South Norfolk District Council, which covers the town of Diss where a hotel housing asylum seekers has also been the subject of protests, said the council would not go down the same route. Conservative leader Daniel Elmer said the council was using planning rules to try to ensure it was families being housed in the area rather than single adult males. He said to do so, which would effectively convert the hotels into hostels, should require a change of use. Two men were arrested and charged in connection with a protest in July outside the hotel in Diss, which houses more than 40 children. Cllr Elmer said: "We make a big play about integration, and to replace families who have children in the local school system and have integrated into the local community would make no sense." He added: "If we can punish people who have put up sheds in their gardens without permission, then we can take action against hotels being converted into hostels without planning consent." This comes as protesters were seen rejoicing outside the Bell Hotel in Essex today following the landmark ruling booting migrants out of the site. They were seen popping bottles of champagne, spraying the drink in the air and waving Union Jacks. Families partying outside the Epping hotel told The Sun the ruling will set a precedent for the other hotels across the UK. The ruling today was welcomed by Reform leader Nigel Farage, who said: "This is a victory for the parents and concerned residents of Epping. They do not want their young women being assaulted on the streets. "This community stood up bravely, despite being slandered as far right, and have won. They represent the vast majority of decent people in this country. "Young, undocumented males who break into the UK illegally should NOT be free to walk the streets anywhere. They must be detained and deported. "I hope that Epping provides inspiration to others across the country."
BBC News
32 minutes ago
- BBC News
Leaked report shows 10,000 gap in probation staff
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Press and Journal
an hour ago
- Press and Journal
Police stopped man jumping from window in Aberdeen drugs raid drama
A drug dealer threatened to jump out of a bedroom window to evade police who caught him with cocaine worth £100,000. Ridvan Morina was the only person in the property at the city's Stoneywood Road, Stoneywood, when officers armed with a warrant forced entry. As police closed in, the 21-year-old moved towards a bedroom window and was going to jump out before officers intervened. Morina, an Albanian national, was arrested and appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh today. A prosecutor told the court that, in January this year, police received intelligence that a specific phone number was being used by an Albanian male dealing cocaine in Aberdeen and Dundee. Advocate depute Martin Crawford said police got a warrant and raided the property o March 26. Mr Crawford added: 'The accused was found in a bedroom preparing to jump out the window.' Morina was restrained and detained by officers. Police recovered 856 grams of cocaine worth a potential £101,600. Some of the cocaine was in block form but police also found 121 zip sealed bags containing individual deals. Morina's DNA was found on scales in the property and on a knife that had cocaine residue on it. Officers found a notebook with notations and £5,310 in cash in a chest of drawers. The court heard that unemployed Morina, of no fixed abode, has no previous convictions in the UK though he previously breached immigration bail. Morina, who followed the court proceedings with the aid of an interpreter, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine on March 26 this year. The judge, Lord Ericht, adjourned the case for sentencing for the preparation of a background report. Morina is due to sentenced at the High Court in Dundee on August 21 and was remanded in custody until then. Afterwards, a proceeds of crime hearing will take place.
