BBC confirms corporation will not appeal Gerry Adams libel ruling after it adds update to online article
It comes after the broadcaster updated an online article at the heart of the controversy, urging readers to be aware of the outcome of the case which found that the former Sinn Fein leader had been defamed.
Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a Spotlight episode which aired in 2016 and the accompanying online article based on the programme.
In a high-profile case, a jury concluded the content defamed Mr Adams (76) by featuring an anonymous source who alleged he sanctioned the 2006 murder of British agent Denis Donaldson who was also a high-ranking Sinn Fein official.
This evening the BBC said: 'We have given careful consideration to the jury's decision.
'We will not be appealing its verdict, bringing this matter to a conclusion. We remain committed to public interest journalism and to serving all BBC audiences.'
The verdict was delivered in the High Court in Dublin last month along with the decision to award the successful claimant €100,000 (£84,000).
Jurors determined that the allegation — which Mr Adams has always denied — in the programme and online story was damaging to Mr Adams' reputation.
The jury concluded that the BBC did not act in good faith nor in a fair and reasonable way.
The corporation was then ordered to pay Mr Adams' legal costs.
The combined bill for both parties is estimated to be between €3-5m (£2.5-4.2m), according to sources with knowledge of the case.
Speaking tonight, Mr Adams said the decision should be accompanied with 'a substantial reform' of the BBC's internal journalistic processes along with an acknowledgement that 'it cannot continue to be a voice for the British state in Ireland'.
'It must also become more accountable to the public,' he continued in a statement.
'There is an onus on the BBC to ensure that in the future its ethics and journalism reflect the principles and values of a public broadcast service.
'As I have already said the damages will be donated to good causes.'
The offending online article remains on the BBC News website, however an update has been added.
The update, alongside a link to reporting of the defamation case, states: 'In 2017 Gerry Adams commenced defamation proceedings in the Republic of Ireland against the BBC in respect of the article below and the BBC programme 'Spy in the IRA' upon which the article is based.
'In May 2025 a jury in the High Court in Dublin, Ireland, found in favour of Mr Adams and awarded him €100,000 (£84,000) in damages.
'A link to the BBC's reporting of the outcome of Gerry Adams' libel case, which should be read in conjunction with this update, is here.'
It comes after the Taoiseach promised that defamation laws in the Republic will be changed as quickly as the Irish Government can achieve it.
Earlier this week Micheal Martin praised the BBC reporter at the centre of the case, Jennifer O'Leary, as 'first-class'.
'I think the defamation laws need to be changed — we're going to change them,' he said.
The Taoiseach vowed that the Government in Dublin would pass the legislation 'as quickly as we can' adding: 'I think we do need to get it through to create a balanced environment for commentary and for investigative journalism'.
BBC NI director Adam Smyth previously warned of 'profound' implications of libel action as he expressed disappointment over the outcome.
'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,' he said after the verdict.
Meanwhile Ms O'Leary insisted she had entered the witness box with 'nothing to hide, only sources to protect' as she thanked them for trusting her.
The BBC's legal team was granted a stay in the payment of the full award and initially said it was taking time to consider an appeal.
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