logo
Adams donates BBC defamation damages to 'good causes'

Adams donates BBC defamation damages to 'good causes'

RTÉ News​17 hours ago
Gerry Adams has said he has made donations to "good causes" after the BBC paid the former Sinn Féin leader €100,000 in defamation damages.
The British 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 Féin 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, determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article.
Johnsons Solicitors, which represented Mr Adams in his action, confirmed that the BBC has discharged the order of the court in relation to the compensation to their client.
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.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mo Chara supported by fans as he returns to court over alleged terror offence
Mo Chara supported by fans as he returns to court over alleged terror offence

Irish Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Mo Chara supported by fans as he returns to court over alleged terror offence

Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, is today appearing in court after allegedly supporting a proscribed terror organisation. In November last year, at a gig in London, he was accused of displaying a flag in support of the terror group Hezbollah. The group have continuously denied the allegations that Óg Ó hAnnaidh is facing. Demonstrations to support the musician have been arranged outside of Westminster Magistrates, as well as in Dublin, Ireland. London's Metropolitan Police have since imposed conditions, limiting where demonstrations can take place outside of the court, stating that they need to "prevent serious disruption." The rap trio have branded the move "a calculated political decision designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome." They added: "There is no basis for this, our last hearing was entirely peaceful and a loving show of solidarity with the most disruptive attendees the right wing media." They said in a statement: "We know all of our supporters will be, but please go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful." In court last month, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said that Óg Ó hAnnaidh was "well within his rights to voice his opinions and his solidarity, as is anybody else." He added: "The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with the video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O'Hanna wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah … while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah." Responding, Brenda Campbell, Óg Ó hAnnaidh said that the charge was too late as it came more than six months after the alleged crime took place. Campbell added: "If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case." Óg Ó hAnnaidh is yet to enter a plea to the charge. We will be bringing you live updates throughout the case. Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads . 09:27 Daniel Bird With less than an hour to go until Óg Ó hAnnaidh is due to appear, supporters outside of Westminster Magistrates Court have started chanting. "Free Mo Chara," could be heard, while people were waving Irish flags. Fans of Kneecap have started chanting outside the court (Image: PA) 09:18 Daniel Bird Chris Hazzard, the MP for South Down in Northern Ireland, has taken to social media to share his support for Óg Ó hAnnaidh. In a statement, he said: "This morning Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is back in Westminster Magistrates' Court. As the rogue Israeli regime continues their genocide in Palestine, supported by complicit western governments, it is a rapper from West Belfast — not the war criminals — who are being dragged before the courts. "This is the same British justice system that stays silent on the British government's complicity in Israel's brutal and relentless assault on the defenceless people of Gaza. Kneecap are on the right side of history. Their courage in calling out Israel's genocide in Palestine, despite the full weight of the western establishment against them, deserves recognition and support. "Free Mo Chara – Free Palestine." South Down MP Chris Hazzard has voiced his thoughts (Image: PA) 08:51 KEY EVENT The Met has confirmed that a Public Order Act is in place today. In a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, the force said: "We've imposed Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest outside Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow. "Protest in support of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh and aligned causes must remain in the red area. Any stage must be erected in the green area." The Met have put a Public Order Act in place ahead of the hearing (Image: @metpoliceuk/X) 08:33 Daniel Bird Fans of the band have already started arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court to show their support, with placards and some waving Palestinian flags. Fans of Kneecap have started arriving at court to show their support (Image: PA) One sign said: "Kneecap rap for what is right." While another read: "Hands off Mo Chara." Fans have been vocal over their support (Image: AP) 08:30 Daniel Bird Kneecap fans have been asked to support Óg Ó hAnnaidh outside of Westminster Magistrates Court, as well as outside Connolly Books in Temple Bar, Dublin. 08:29 KEY EVENT Taking to Instagram on Tuesday following a statement from the Met, who have imposed a Public Order Act, the band said: "We massively appreciate the support of what we know are the majority of the public, who can see this farce for what it is. It is distraction from war crimes that the British state support. "In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for kneecap as somehow troublesome. It is a calculated political decision the night before Mo Chara's court appearance. "There is no basis for this, our last hearing was entirely peaceful and a loving show of solidarity with the most disruptive attendees the right wing media. We know all of our supporters will be, but please go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful. "Free Palestine."

Why are Irish consumers paying the most for electricity in Europe?
Why are Irish consumers paying the most for electricity in Europe?

RTÉ News​

timean hour ago

  • RTÉ News​

Why are Irish consumers paying the most for electricity in Europe?

No matter what way you look at it, residential electricity prices in Ireland are expensive. When comparing electricity prices across European countries, we can look at direct 'euro' price, or we can adjust prices to account for differences in living standards and wages. Either way, Ireland is well above the European average. The reason electricity prices are higher in Ireland than in other European countries primarily relates to two elements that together constitute about 70% of our electricity bill. These are how we make electricity in Ireland and how we move it to our homes. Ireland has unique characteristics for both. From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, Dr Paul Deane on why Irish users are paying the most for electricity in Europe (begins at 16.50) In producing electricity, Ireland is very reliant on natural gas, which generated about half of our electricity last year. Very few European countries have this level of exposure to natural gas. It's an important fuel for electricity in Ireland because it fills the gaps when renewables like wind are not sufficient to meet electricity demand. While natural gas is the cleanest of fossil fuels, its price over the past four years has been precarious, and its supply volatile. The price of natural gas is influenced by geopolitical events such as the war in Ukraine and developments in the Middle East. Because natural gas is also used around the world for space heating, its supply and price are also driven by weather in various parts of the world. At times during the Ukrainian war, monthly European gas prices increased by a factor of 10 and are still twice as high today as the longer-term historic average. The gas we use nationally is purchased at international prices and, because we use so much gas for electricity, its higher costs is a a primary driver of higher electricity prices. Some might argue that if we had more gas production in Ireland, it would reduce electricity prices. It is true that increased indigenous gas would reduce prices (and improve gas security), but the impact on electricity prices would be very small unless the supplier was willing to sell gas well below market prices. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, why are so many households in electricity bill arrears? The second reason Ireland has higher prices than other EU countries is the cost of moving electricity from where it is made to where it is needed. Because Ireland has many rural and remote areas, the length of electricity wires and poles required per person is much greater than in other European countries. This longer infrastructure costs more money and is reflected in our bills. There is great uncertainty about what our electricity bills will look like over the next five to 10 years, but my view is that electricity bills are more likely to stabilise closer to today's level rather than return to the prices we saw five years ago. An average annual electricity bill this year is close to €1,400. While this is lower than it was three years ago (about €2,000), it is still higher than pre-Ukraine crisis levels of around €1,000 per year. As Ireland builds more wind and solar over the next 10 years, this will reduce the amount of gas we need to generate electricity and reduce Ireland's exposure to volatile gas prices. Building renewables to displace natural gas requires significant investment. However, investment is required whether we build renewables or not, because we have an ageing power system and infrastructure that needs upgrades and refurbishment to meet our future electricity needs. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, how to get the best value electricity tariffs using your smart meter The economic preference for whether we build renewables or build natural gas power plants to meet our future electricity needs depends on your view of natural gas prices over the next 20 years. Generating a unit of electricity with renewables such as wind and solar in Ireland today is more cost competitive than using natural gas (though not significantly cheaper). But moving that unit of electricity from wind farms around the country will cost more, as we need to build more power lines to remote locations. If you take the view that natural gas prices over the next 20 years will be higher than today, then renewables are more economically competitive and if you assume gas prices will be lower, then the opposite occurs. It is my view that the geopolitical, environmental, and national security risks associated with natural gas sourcing and pricing are too high. It makes economic and national security sense for Ireland to invest in our own energy from renewables at home. We must manage our future expectations about the promise of cheaper electricity with great care However, we must manage our future expectations about the promise of cheaper electricity with great care. Renewables are not likely to significantly reduce electricity bills below today levels, but they will reduce volatility if gas prices spike again. Renewables also offer stable prices rather than "cheap" prices. The goal for the Irish Government should be to make electricity as affordable as possible, while acknowledging that many families will still need assistance. From a political perspective, this message is important because it means the need for targeted—rather than general—measures to assist families with energy credits will endure.

Carlow town comes to standstill as tragic fashion designer laid to rest
Carlow town comes to standstill as tragic fashion designer laid to rest

Irish Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Carlow town comes to standstill as tragic fashion designer laid to rest

The funeral of an Irish woman who was found dead on a yacht in the United States is being held in her native Carlow today. 33-year-old Martha Nolan O'Slattara, from Carlow Town, was found dead on a private yacht in the upmarket area of Montauk in the Hamptons, New York, in the early hours of Tuesday, August 5. Police confirmed that Ms Nolan O'Slatarra was found dead inside a docked boat at the Montauk Yacht Club, a 16-acre waterfront property located in the Hamptons, after a 911 call reported an 'unconscious woman' aboard the yacht. Despite immediate attempts to revive her, East Hampton Town Police later declared her dead at the scene. In the days following the discovery of Ms Nolan O'Slatarra's body, police said there was "no evidence of violence" in her death. Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra's family have now announced that her funeral will be held at The Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow today, followed by burial afterwards in St Mary's Cemetery. A death notice shared on remembered the young Irish fashion designer as the "beloved daughter of Elma, much loved sister of Jacqui, treasured granddaughter of Betty and Liam, cherished niece of John, Michelle, Barry and Mona and adored partner of Nick". "She will be sadly missed by her loving mother and her mother's partner Patrick, sister, aunts, uncles, partner, her father Seamus and her siblings, her grandfather Jimmy Slattery, extended family, relatives and her large circle of friends in Ireland and the U.S.," the notice added. For updates see our blog here or check out our homepage.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store