Gerry Adams' ‘chilling' remark that libel case was about ‘putting manners' on BBC highlights law reform need, union says
GERRY Adams' claim that his libel case against the BBC was about 'putting manners' on the broadcaster has been described as 'chilling' by a senior union figure.
Ex-
A jury at the High Court in
Dooley told
He said: 'The first thing we should say is Gerry Adams was entitled to take his case.
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'But it does have profound implications for the practise of journalism and I think it has implications both in terms of defamation law but also for me in terms of journalism in
Speaking outside court on Friday, Adams said taking the case was 'about putting manners on the British Broadcasting Corporation'.
He added: 'The British Broadcasting Corporation upholds the ethos of the
Dooley said: 'I found that a chilling comment actually. He referred to putting manners on the BBC, to me that means putting them back in their box.
Most read in Irish News
'The reality is that Spotlight has, for over 40 years, done some of the most amazing investigative journalism.
'Margaret Thatcher tried to ban Spotlight because of their coverage of Gibraltar Three, they exposed Kincora at the heart of the British establishment, recently they did work on Stakeknife, and in fact the Sinn Fein mayor of Derry led the campaign to save BBC Radio Foyle news service.
'I found the attitude quite chilling but also unfair and unreasonable in the circumstances.'
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He said the case underpinned the need for a review of defamation laws in Ireland.
He said: 'First of all we need to look at the defence of honest opinion and how you square that circle in the context of journalists' right to protect sources, it is a real difficulty.
'For many years the NUJ was in favour of retaining juries. I have now reached the conclusion in defamation cases that juries are not appropriate.
'One of the reasons is we will never know why the jury reached this decision.
'If, as in Northern Ireland, had Mr Adams taken his case in Northern Ireland, the case is heard before judges, you have the benefit of a written judgment, you have the benefit of a detailed explanation of the reason why a verdict is given. That provides an insight and a guide.
'Here, we don't know.'
'RETRAUMATISING'
The Donaldson family's solicitor Enda McGarrity told
He added: 'The case was seen as a sideshow in that the family was aware it wasn't the type of case which would assist them in their long and tortuous search for answers and accountability.
'But of course as the trial played out it became difficult to ignore and retraumatising in many ways.
'The process has been an extremely difficult one for the family.
'However, what this case does do is shine a light on the wider, and clearly more important issue of the circumstances around Denis Donaldson's murder.
'The fact that the family have never had anything resembling an effective investigation into this murder highlights an uncomfortable truth for authorities on both sides of the border, particularly where legacy cases are concerned.'
He said the Donaldson family would now be seeking a meeting with Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan.
1
Gerry Adams was awarded €100,000 in damages after winning his libel action against the BBC
Credit: Reuters
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