Implications of Adams' libel victory ‘profound', says head of BBC NI
Adam Smyth, director of BBC NI, said their legal team had warned that the jury's decision in the high-profile defamation case could 'hinder freedom of expression'.
The BBC has been ordered to pay the former Sinn Fein leader 100,000 euro (£84,000) after a jury decided they had defamed him in a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson.
Mr Adams denies any involvement in Mr Donaldson's death in 2006.
Speaking outside Dublin High Court alongside Spotlight reporter Jennifer O'Leary, Mr Smyth said they were disappointed with the verdict.
He said: 'We believe we supplied extensive evidence to the court of the careful editorial process and journalistic diligence applied to this programme and accompanying online article.
'Moreover, it was accepted by the court, and conceded by Gerry Adams' legal team, that the Spotlight broadcast and publication were of the highest public interest.'
Mr Smyth said the BBC had not wanted to come to court.
But he added: 'It was important that we defend our journalism and we stand by that decision.
'Our past is difficult terrain for any jury and we thank them for their diligence and careful consideration of the issues in this case.
'The implications of their decision, though, are profound.
'As our legal team made clear, if the BBC's case cannot be won under existing Irish defamation law, it's hard to see how anyone's could.
'And they warned that today's decision could hinder freedom of expression.
'Of course, a case of this importance, duration and complexity involves significant expense. In common with other media organisations, the BBC has insurance and makes financial provision for ongoing and anticipated legal claims.'
Mr Smyth said the BBC would now take time to consider the implications of the ruling.
Ms O'Leary said she had entered the witness box in the trial with 'nothing to hide, only sources to protect and I want to thank them for trusting me'.
She paid tribute to the witnesses who had appeared for the BBC in the case, including Ann Travers, whose sister was murdered by the IRA in 1984.
She said: 'And there are thousands of Ann Travers across this island and in Britain – victims and survivors of the Troubles and the years after the peace agreement – who carry the burden of their grief and trauma with incredible courage.
'They are the people I'm thinking of – all of them.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
29 minutes ago
- The Guardian
TV tonight: chapter two of the ultimate Jane Austen docu-series
9pm, BBC Two At this point in the documentary series, Austen has written Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility plus Northanger Abbey – but nobody outside her family has read them. This chapter shows her journey to getting them published. But just after she gets good news, her father becomes sick and she faces losing her biggest cheerleader. Hollie Richardson 8pm, Channel 4Not-so-smooth sailing: this new behind-the-scenes documentary series meets the people working at the non-stop transport hub that sees more than 10 million passengers and a significant percentage of the UK's European trade pass through every year. Episode one includes a cargo team preparing to receive a third of the country's weekly supply of bananas. Can they avoid any slip-ups? And what happens when a lorry driver claims he has a gun? Graeme Virtue 9pm, Channel 4More chaos on a night out with the police in Brighton – and it's not the fun kind. A welfare check has to be carried out after a phone call from an ex-partner, while a group of drunk partygoers need to be removed from a bar, and there's a suspected spiking when a woman collapses in a pub. HR 9pm, Sky WitnessVanessa Williams is great value in this unconventional crime comedy-drama as a vodka-swilling socialite who resorts to elegant but drastic measures when her plans to take revenge on a snooty jewellery store go wrong. Attorney and detective Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) has to tune in to posh vibes to solve a murder and stop a heist. Jack Seale 10pm, Sky ComedyThe second, aviation-themed series of Nathan Fielder's awkward documentary comedy takes a brief detour in this episode. Nathan helps a couple whose dog-cloning experiment has gone awry, by trying to replicate their original pet's 2011-era upbringing. He then applies the technique to himself, via a close reading of heroic pilot Sully Sullenberger's memoir. Ellen E Jones 10.50pm, U&DaveWould you be able to keep a straight face as your parent told a whole audience about their sex life? That's what one poor woman has to do in this comedy show that chips off prize money each time someone laughs. Next up, a kid takes to the stage with some outrageously adult jokes. HR
Wales Online
37 minutes ago
- Wales Online
DWP to give evidence at new inquest for woman who died after benefits cut
DWP to give evidence at new inquest for woman who died after benefits cut The 42-year-old woman killed herself two weeks after her disability benefits were stopped Joy Dove (PA) The mother of a housebound disabled woman who killed herself after a benefits cut has described the 'long wait' for justice, ahead of a second inquest into her daughter's death today, following years of legal fights. Jodey Whiting, 42, from Stockton-on-Tees, died in February 2017 about two weeks after her disability benefit was stopped, when she did not attend a work capability assessment. Her mother, Joy Dove, fought for a new inquest to investigate the impact of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ending Ms Whiting's benefits, after the first lasted only 37 minutes and heard no evidence relating to the DWP. Ms Dove told the BBC: 'It's been such a long wait. It's now come back to where it all began. 'The coroner has said it will be a full and thorough inquest and I'm hoping for the best, not just for Jodey's sake but for the whole family, especially the young ones, who don't really know what the past few years have been like. Hopefully, they'll understand it more.' She will give evidence at the hearing, and told the broadcaster: 'I'm anxious, but I just want justice for Jodey.' The fresh inquest will open at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Monday and will hear evidence from a DWP representative. The coroner at the original inquest in May 2017 recorded a verdict of suicide. In 2020, Ms Dove was given permission by the attorney general to apply to the High Court for a new inquest, an application that was eventually refused. Ms Dove took her fight to the Court of Appeal, where in 2023 her lawyers said the first inquest did not investigate 'whether any acts or omissions of the DWP caused or contributed to Ms Whiting's death', and argued that the High Court judges reached the wrong conclusions. They said another inquest was necessary to consider fresh evidence of 'multiple, significant failings' by the DWP when it terminated Ms Whiting's employment and support allowance (ESA), which was not before the coroner at the time of the first inquest. Judges ruled there should be a new inquest, heard by a different coroner, saying the public have a 'legitimate interest' in knowing whether Ms Whiting's death was connected to the abrupt stopping of her benefits. Ms Whiting had received benefits for more than a decade because of serious, long-term physical and mental health issues, including severe pain and a history of self-harm. In late 2016, the DWP started to reassess Ms Whiting, who said she needed a house visit as she was housebound, had severe anxiety and was unable to walk more than a few steps. Ms Dove's lawyers argued at the High Court in 2021 that a house visit was not properly considered before the DWP terminated her disability benefit, which led to Ms Whiting's housing benefit and council tax benefit also being terminated. Ms Dove told the BBC about a letter her daughter received from the DWP before her death, asking 'why she hadn't attended a medical assessment, because it could affect her money'. 'But she'd been in hospital,' she said. 'We waited for another letter and I couldn't believe it. It said 'you're fit to work'. 'She looked at me and said 'Mam, what am I going to do? I can't walk out the door, I can't breathe, I can't sign on'.' Article continues below The decision to terminate Ms Whiting's benefit was overturned on March 31, weeks after her death. The independent case examiner, which investigates complaints about the DWP, later found multiple breaches of department policy, significant errors by staff, and several 'missed opportunities' for the DWP to reconsider the claim.
Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Man dead and girl injured following shooting incident at Carlow shopping centre
The PA news agency understands that it appears that the dead man's wounds were self-inflicted. A young girl was also injured in the incident but did not require hospital care. Gardai have identified the dead man as a white Irish male. Ireland's Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has described it as a 'really shocking incident'. One local councillor told how people ran terrified from the shopping centre in Carlow town as shots were fired. The body of the man remains at the scene and will not be removed until the area has been declared safe. The shopping centre has been evacuated and emergency services remain at the scene, but gardai said there is no further concern for public safety. A Garda spokesperson said they were alerted to reports of a firearm discharge at Fairgreen Shopping Centre shortly after 6.15pm. The spokesperson said: 'An Garda Siochana are currently at the scene, with the shopping centre and car park cordoned off. 'The cordon will remain in place overnight. 'A white Irish adult male is deceased at the scene. 'The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been requested to attend.' The spokesperson added: 'A female juvenile received treatment from paramedics following the incident but did not require hospital care. 'It's undetermined at this time as to how those injuries were sustained.' Gardai have asked that anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead provide it to Carlow Garda Station. Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111. Investigations are ongoing. Ireland's deputy premier, Simon Harris, said he was 'deeply concerned' to hear about the incident and was being kept briefed. Mr Harris said: 'I understand a young child has been hurt and I join with people across our country in thinking of them and their family tonight. 'I am also thinking of all those who witnessed this situation and the awful shock and upset it must have caused them. 'I know their families and communities will rally to support them. 'I am grateful to our emergency services for their work and response.' The Tanaiste added: 'This is a live Garda Investigation with the support of members of the Army Bomb Disposal Unit. 'I have been in touch with the chief of staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, in relation to this incident and the assistance our Defence Forces are providing. 'It's important now that our Gardai can carry out this investigation thoroughly.' Mr O'Callaghan said: 'This was a really shocking incident. 'My thoughts are with everyone affected by the shooting and the community and families impacted, including those working at the scene. 'I would appeal to anyone who has any information to speak to the gardai and help with their investigations in any way that they can.' He added: 'This is something we never want or expect to happen in our communities. 'Gun violence is very rare in Ireland, and I am determined that will remain the case. 'The area in Carlow is safe. 'We must now allow An Garda Siochana to investigate this incident fully.' Local Fine Gael councillor Fergal Browne said people in the town had been left terrified He said: 'I think it is all under control now, it seems the worst is over. 'People were obviously terrified, a bank holiday Sunday, going into town to do their shopping. 'People ran from the centre crying and upset. 'There was a bunch of foreign students in the area, who could not believe they were caught up in the middle of all of it. 'It's a busy spot. We launched a photographic exhibition there on Friday night in the shopping centre.' Mr Browne added: 'There is lots of activity in the centre between people shopping and people working there, exhibitions. 'You could not make it up. It's very upsetting for everyone who was involved in it or who witnessed it. 'I was down there in the last hour and it seems to have calmed down a good bit now.' Mr Browne said he wanted to thank all of the emergency services who had attended the scene.
