Gerry Adams defamation trial: Here's what he said in court, and how the BBC fought back
FOR SEVEN DAYS at the High Court, former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams gave detailed testimony in his defamation case against the BBC.
The marathon evidence session began on the afternoon of the first day of the defamation case as the former MP and TD was invited by his own barrister to tell the jury about his upbringing during a time of turmoil on the streets of Belfast.
Describing political and civil developments in the 1970s and 1980s, Adams said: 'I do think the IRA was a legitimate response to what was happening at the time.'
Soon attention turned to the Spotlight programme that led Adams to sue the BBC over allegation that he sanctioned the 2006 murder of Denis Donaldson, a Sinn Fein official who had been exposed as a spy.
Adams called the programme 'an attempted hatchet job' and 'bad, poor journalism'.
He described the BBC response when he attempted to raise a complaint as arrogant and insulting.
He said: 'This is a public broadcaster. The public pay for all of this.
'They just dismissed it (the complaint), it was offensive, it was insulting and it is what has all of us here today.'
The tone of questioning changed dramatically at the end of the first week of the trial when Paul Gallagher SC, acting for the BBC, began his cross-examination of the former Sinn Fein president. The courtroom was packed as Ireland's former attorney general rose to commence the questioning.
Under cross-examination, Adams was pressed on IRA-related violence but refused to speculate on details, saying such questioning trivialised victims' deaths.
He rejected claims he was on the IRA Army Council and challenged the suggestion that the programme fairly represented his reputation. Reflecting on the IRA's campaign, Adams said his greatest regret was the loss of civilian lives and the time it took to achieve peace.
Advertisement
The BBC argued Adams was widely believed to have IRA ties, contrasting with his barrister's portrayal of him as a peacemaker.
'To some, he's a hero'
On the final day of testimony, Adams was questioned about attending funerals of prominent IRA members.
He retorted: 'You're trying to persuade this jury I had no reputation whatsoever because I attended funerals? And therefore Spotlight could say whatever they want about me and I would have no redress?'
Reflecting on the IRA's violent campaign, Adams said, 'My big regret is that so many people were killed and particularly civilians. My abiding regret is that it took so long to get a peace process together.'
The court heard closing arguments contrasting Adams' reputation as a peacemaker with the BBC's position that it was 'universally held' he was involved in the IRA and its Army Council.
Adams' barrister described the paradox simply: 'To some he is a hero, to some he is not.'
'Solid piece of journalism'
The BBC Spotlight team defended their reporting, insisting they took caution in airing allegations that Adams sanctioned Donaldson's killing.
Reporter Jennifer O'Leary said the claim was corroborated by multiple reliable sources beyond the anonymous interviewee, and the programme's tone was 'measured' and 'precise.'
'There was so much care taken over this programme. It was a solid piece of journalism and the result of many months work and a lot of diligence and a lot of rigour and a lot of scrutiny,' she said.
O'Leary added that she took the 'utmost care' with the allegation and denied leaving out pieces of information from the programme that would contradict the claim against Mr Adams.
BBC barrister Paul Gallagher argued Adams could not claim damage to his reputation when it was 'universally held' he was involved in the IRA, questioning if the court should ignore those facts.
The broadcaster maintained that the allegation was presented responsibly, including Adams' denial and the Real IRA's claim of responsibility.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
Tributes paid after death of former NI Civil Service chief Kenneth Bloomfield
Tributes have been paid to the former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, who has died at the age of 94. Stormont's Minister for Health Mike Nesbitt described Sir Kenneth as a 'great intellect' and 'one of our finest'. His career in public service began in the 1950s and he was cabinet secretary to the 1974 Stormont powersharing executive, and head of the NI Civil Service from 1984 to 1991. The IRA tried to kill Sir Kenneth at his home in Co Down in 1988 but his family survived the bomb attack. READ MORE Later, he took on a number of other roles including victims' commissioner and co-commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. He was knighted in 1987. Alliance Party leader and Minister for Justice Naomi Long said: 'Sir Kenneth had a distinguished career in public service over many years and in many roles. 'He and his wife were personally targeted in the Troubles, when their home was attacked by an IRA bomb, but he did not allow it to deter him from his enduring commitment to public service. 'In the decades since his formal retirement, he continued that commitment, offering his skills and experience in the service of the community, most particularly in his work as victims' commissioner in the early days of the Assembly, a role which he notably described as being a 'painful privilege'.' Ms Long added: 'I know that he kept in touch with political developments and was especially supportive of efforts to ensure the devolved administration was put on a firm and stable footing. 'On behalf of myself and Alliance, I would wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Lady Elizabeth and the family circle on their very personal loss.' In a statement on X, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said: 'Sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. 'A great intellect, public servant and one of our finest. 'Among many other things he paved the way for the setting up of the Commission for Victims and Survivors where I served before politics.' Belfast Lord Lieutenant Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle wrote: 'Ken brought dignity, gravitas and humanity to public life. 'To his wife Elizabeth, daughter and son, my sincere condolences.' A post from the Belfast office of the US consulate said: 'We offer our condolences to the family of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to others, including those injured and bereaved during NI's troubled past.' Sir Nigel Hamilton, another former head of the NI Civil Service, told the BBC he would remember Sir Kenneth as the 'most important, the pre-eminent public servant of his time and of his generation'. He added: 'From the 1960s right up to 1991 he was the leader, he was the public servant extraordinaire.'
Extra.ie
12 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Family of Denis Donaldson say Gerry Adams 'retraumatised' them with libel action
The family of murdered informant Denis Donaldson have called for a public inquiry into his death, as they accused Gerry Adams of 'retraumatising' them with his libel action against the BBC. The former Sinn Féin president yesterday said he has 'put manners' on the BBC, after winning €100,000 in damages over an allegation that he sanctioned the murder of the British spy. Mr Adams had sued the BBC in the High Court in Dublin, claiming it wrongly alleged that he had the 'final say' in the death of Sinn Féin official and informant Denis Donaldson. Gerry Adams. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Donegal in April 2006, four months after confessing that he had been an agent for the British security forces for 20 years. The murder remains unsolved. Mr Adams, who has been both a TD and an MP, said the 2016 Spotlight documentary, Spy In The IRA, had damaged his reputation as a peacemaker. He said the programme was a 'grievous smear' and a 'hatchet job' – and the jury agreed. Gerry Adams. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Following the verdict, Mr Donaldson's daughter Jane called for an urgent public inquiry into her father's violent death. Speaking on behalf of her immediate family, she said: 'By reducing events which damaged our lives to a debate about damage to his reputation, the plaintiff has trivialised our family tragedy. 'Daddy's murder and surrounding circumstances devastated our family. The plaintiff prioritised his own financial and reputational interests over any regard for retraumatising my family.' She continued: 'We are still no closer to the truth. No one spoke for my family in court. We supported neither side in this case.' Gerry Adams. Pic: Collins Courts She said her family had been 'stonewalled' in their pursuit of the truth, while 'limitless' legal resources and vast expense were invested in the High Court case. She noted that an inquest into Mr Donaldson's death had been postponed 27 times, and said the family had been refused a judgeled commission of investigation. She said the public interest could Plaintiff: only be Gerry served by Adams some form of public inquiry, with a crossborder dimension, 'empowered to investigate the whole truth about the conspiracy to expose and murder my daddy'. Adam Smyth, director of the BBC in the North, said the broadcast and online article 'were of the highest public interest'. 'We didn't want to come to court, but it was important that we defend our journalism and we stand by that decision,' he said after the verdict yesterday. Mr Smyth added that the implications of this case will be 'profound'. 'If the BBC's case cannot be won under existing Irish defamation law, it's hard to see how anyone's could,' he explained. The head of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ireland, Séamus Dooley, said the case 'underlined' the need for reform of the defamation legislation. 'As an official representing BBC journalists I was disappointed at the comments made by Mr Adams regarding the organisation' he said, referring to his claim to have 'put manners' on the broadcaster. 'Spotlight has a proud history of investigative journalism and the outcome of this case does not take from that history.' He said the scale of damages gave rise to serious concern for media organisations. 'The NUJ has long sought reform of defamation law and Twitter,' he said. The BBC had argued that the documentary, and a follow-up online article, were fair and reasonable publications on a matter of public interest. Facing potential legal costs of over €1.5million for the four-week case, it said yesterday that the implications of the verdict for investigative journalism in the future 'will be profound'. Mr Adams's reputation was at the core of the case, with the BBC maintaining that the public believed him to have been a senior member of the IRA for many years. The broadcaster's barrister, Eoin McCullough, had said: 'If a person has the reputation of having been in the IRA or on the army council, or having presided over a campaign in which many people were killed, they should not be awarded damages on account of the allegation that the final order for one more murder lay with him.' However, the jury found that the words used in the documentary, and a follow-up online news article, were defamatory, and awarded €100,000 to restore Mr Adams's reputation. Speaking outside court, Mr Adams – who has said the money will be given to charity – told the waiting media that he had flaws in his character, but that he had 'always been satisfied with my reputation'. He continued: 'From my perspective, taking this case was about putting manners on the British Broadcasting Corporation. I know many, many journalists. I like to think that I get on well with most of them… 'But the British Broadcasting Corporation upholds the ethos of the British state in Ireland and in my view, it's out of sync in many, many fronts with the Good Friday Agreement.' Mr Adams said he was mindful that Mr Donaldson's family had to 'watch all of this'. He called on Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to meet with the Donaldson family 'as quickly as possible'. Mr Adams's legal team had said the programme was reckless journalism, based on an unverified allegation from a single anonymous source. The BBC had countered that the claim was presented as an allegation and not a fact, and that it was corroborated by five other sources including the security services.
Sunday World
13 hours ago
- Sunday World
BBC expected to appeal Gerry Adams defamation finding as legal bill set to hit €3m
The former Sinn Féin president was awarded €100,000 in damages over the contents of a BBC Spotlight programme and BBC website article which a jury found meant he had sanctioned and approved the murder of informer Denis Donaldson. Director of BBC Northern Ireland Adam Smyth, with producer Imelda Lynch (left) and journalist Jennifer O'Leary (right) outside the High Court in Dublin. Photo: PA Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams outside the High Court in Dublin after he was awarded €100,000 in damages against the BBC. Photo: PA The BBC is likely to appeal a jury finding that it defamed Gerry Adams as it faces a potential legal bill of €3m after losing the High Court action. The former Sinn Féin president was awarded €100,000 in damages over the contents of a BBC Spotlight programme and BBC website article which a jury found meant he had sanctioned and approved the murder of informer Denis Donaldson. Following the verdict, Mr Adams said he took the case to put 'manners' on the BBC, but he faced sharp criticism from the Donaldson family for bringing the action to trial. In a statement, it claimed Mr Adams had 'prioritised his own financial and reputational interests over any regard for retraumatising' the family. As our legal team made clear, if the BBC's case cannot be won under existing Irish defamation law, it is hard to see how anyone's could The corporation has yet to make an official comment about a potential appeal, but an informed source told the Irish Independent it was actively assessing its options in respect of challenging the verdict. Director of BBC Northern Ireland, Adam Smyth, said the implications of the jury's decision were 'profound' and that the BBC's lawyers had warned it would hinder freedom of expression. 'As our legal team made clear, if the BBC's case cannot be won under existing Irish defamation law, it is hard to see how anyone's could,' he said. The trial judge, Mr Justice Alexander Owens, said he could not think of a reason why Mr Adams should not be awarded his costs against the BBC, but will hear submissions on the issue next Tuesday. Mr Justice Alexander Owens. Photo: PA Each side in the case, which ran for just over four weeks, is thought to have legal costs of around €1.5m. In relation to the cost of the case, Mr Smyth said: '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.' Appeal grounds are likely to include a ruling made by the judge which meant the BBC was unable to call witnesses to testify from their own specific knowledge of events that Mr Adams was a senior IRA leader. Mr Adams has always denied the claim. Instead the BBC was restricted to only calling evidence that Mr Adams' general reputation was that of an IRA leader. A further ground of appeal is likely to be that the jury was asked to consider whether the words complained of were published 'in good faith'. The jury found that they weren't. But the BBC contended the question should not have been put to the jury as it was not an issue pressed by Mr Adams' side in the trial. The quantum of damages, in circumstances where Mr Adams admitted his reputation was that of an IRA leader, is also viewed as a potential ground. Speaking outside the court, Mr Adams said he 'very happy' and that from his perspective, 'taking this case was about putting manners on the British Broadcasting Corporation'. Director of BBC Northern Ireland Adam Smyth, with producer Imelda Lynch (left) and journalist Jennifer O'Leary (right) outside the High Court in Dublin. Photo: PA Mr Adams claimed the BBC 'upholds the ethos of the British state in Ireland' and, in his view, was 'out of sync on many, many fronts with the Good Friday Agreement'. Mr Adams also said he was very mindful of the Donaldson family during the trial and called on Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to meet with them. However, Mr Donaldson's daughter Jane hit out at Mr Adams. Her father, a former IRA man and Sinn Féin administrator in Stormont, was shot dead at a remote cottage in Glenties, Co Donegal in April 2006, four months after it was revealed he had been an informer for police and MI5 since the 1980s. No one has ever been brought to justice and Mr Adams has denied any knowledge or involvement in the murder. Jane Donaldson was called as a witness by the BBC but this was objected to by Mr Adams' lawyers and the judge ruled that the jury would not hear her evidence. She called for an urgent official inquiry into her father's murder. In a statement on behalf of the family, Ms Donaldson said: 'By reducing events which damaged our lives to a debate about damage to his reputation, the plaintiff has trivialised our family tragedy.' In the Spotlight programme, a former British agent within Sinn Féin and the IRA, known only as Martin, said he believed Mr Adams sanctioned the murder. The BBC did not argue this was true and said it was only presented as an allegation published 'in good faith'.
