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The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Senator Michael McDowell tells court he's only met two politicians who didn't believe Gerry Adams was in IRA
MICHAEL McDowell told a jury in Gerry Adams' case that he has never met any politician - apart from Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris - who did not believe the former Sinn Fein president was a member of the Provisional IRA. Senator McDowell, a former Tanaiste and attorney general, was giving evidence at the 2 Gerry Adams claims the BBC defamed him Credit: 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved The On Wednesday, asked by BBC counsel Paul Gallagher SC about Mr Adams' reputation among the public, Mr McDowell said that Mr Adams' is known as a politician now, who was a leading member of the IRA, and who was active in the He said he was reputed to have been a chief negotiator between the provisional movement and the British government in the 1970s, and thereafter, he was reputed to have a role in the READ MORE ON GERRY ADAMS Following this he was reputed to have become a member of the IRA's army council, Mr McDowell said. Asked, in his view, how widespread these views are, Mr McDowell said that excluding former He said during the peace process that immediately following the Belfast Agreement in 1998, the view of those in the Asked more generally about Mr Adams' reputation among politicians, Mr McDowell said that he has never met any politician that did not believe he was a leading member of the IRA during its armed campaign, and thereafter a dominant figure within its Most read in Irish News Earlier, Ann Travers, whose sister was killed by the IRA in 1984, said Mr Adams' reputation was that of a 'warmonger'. She said she believed this because of his support of the IRA and 'the murder of innocent people'. 2 Michael McDowell told a jury in Gerry Adams' case that he has never met any politician - apart from Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris - who did not believe he was an IRA member Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Senator tells defamation case Gerry Adams 'was a dominant character within the IRA'
Gerry Adams has a reputation among the public for being a member of the Provisional IRA's decision-making body, known as the army council, a senator and former attorney general has told the High Court. Michael McDowell also said that members of the Irish Government, in the time following the Belfast Agreement in 1998, considered the former Sinn Féin president an army council member, based on intelligence briefings. Mr McDowell was giving evidence in the fourth week of a civil trial of Mr Adams's defamation action against the BBC. Mr Adams claims a BBC Spotlight programme and a related article published in 2016 defamed him by falsely accusing him of sanctioning British agent Denis Donaldson's killing at a cottage in Glenties, Co Donegal, in 2006. Mr Adams's lawyers argue his reputation is that of a 'peacemaker', and the allegation represents an 'unjustified attack' on his reputation. He insists he had no involvement with the death for which dissident republicans claimed responsibility in 2009. The BBC denies it defamed Mr Adams. On Wednesday, asked by BBC senior counsel Paul Gallagher about Mr Adams's reputation among the public, Mr McDowell said he is known as a politician who was a leading member of the IRA and active in the IRA during its period of 'armed struggle'. Mr McDowell, who was called by the BBC to give evidence, said Gerry Adams (pictured) was reputed to have been a chief negotiator between the provisional movement and the British government in the 1970s and, thereafter, he was reputed to have a role in the Belfast IRA as its officer commanding. Photo Collins Courts Mr McDowell, who was called by the BBC to give evidence, said Mr Adams was reputed to have been a chief negotiator between the provisional movement and the British government in the 1970s and, thereafter, he was reputed to have a role in the Belfast IRA as its officer commanding. Following this he was believed to have become a member of the IRA's army council, Mr McDowell said. He said that during the peace process, immediately following the Belfast Agreement in 1998, the view of those in the Irish Government, based on intelligence briefings, was that Mr Adams was a leading member of the army council, along with Sinn Féin politicians Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris. John Kerr, barrister for Mr Adams, put it to Mr McDowell that he has made no secret of his hatred of Sinn Féin. In response, Mr McDowell said: 'I abominate what they have done in the past and what they did do in the past. 'I also abominate their dishonesty about what they did do and their willingness to lie about that,' he said. Mr McDowell agreed Sinn Féin and Mr Adams played a key role in negotiations leading up to the Belfast Agreement. However, he said Mr Adams represented himself 'entirely falsely' as a go-between for the IRA and the political process, when in fact 'he was a dominant character within the IRA at the time'. Mr McDowell said he gives 'the credit of common sense' to Mr Adams for recognising that the IRA had been defeated. Ann Travers testimony Ann Travers then told the jury that while walking from Mass, her sister was killed and her father Thomas, a magistrate, was shot six times. She said there was also an attempt on her mother's life. She said she is an advocate for South East Fermanagh Foundation, a support group for victims of violence with about 5,000 members. She said victims' groups see Mr Adams as a senior member of the IRA and of Sinn Féin and who was 'heavily involved' with the murder of innocent people. Under cross-examination from Declan Doyle SC, for Mr Adams, Ms Travers said Mr Adams has 'cast a long and dark shadow' over her life, and said she 'would even have a fear of him'. She disagreed with the suggestions Mr Adams's reputation is that of a peacemaker. She did not agree that there would be no peace in Northern Ireland were it not for Mr Adams. Trevor Ringland, a solicitor and former Irish rugby international, was also called by the BBC on Wednesday, and said Mr Adams had a reputation as a 'peacetaker', rather than a 'peacemaker'. Mr Doyle, for Mr Adams, noted Mr Ringland was previously associated with the Ulster Unionist Party and previously joined the Northern Ireland branch of the UK Conservative Party. The trial continues before Mr Justice Alexander Owens. Read More Senator tells Gerry Adams defamation case he was known to politicians as leading member of the IRA
Irish Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ex-Tanaiste gives his take on Gerry Adams and IRA membership in defamation case
Senator Michael McDowell has told a jury in Gerry Adams' defamation case that he has never met any politician – apart from Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris – that did not believe the former Sinn Féin president was a member of the Provisional IRA. Mr McDowell, a former tánaiste and attorney general, was giving evidence at the High Court on the fourth week of a trial hearing into Mr Adams' action. Mr Adams claims a BBC Spotlight programme and a related article published in 2016 defamed him by falsely accusing him of sanctioning British agent Denis Donaldson's killing at a cottage in Glenties, Co Donegal, in 2006. The BBC denies it defamed Mr Adams, who insists he had no involvement in the death, which dissident republicans claimed responsibility for in 2009. On Wednesday, asked by BBC counsel Paul Gallagher SC about Mr Adams' reputation among the public, Mr McDowell said that Mr Adams' is known as a politician now, who was a leading member of the IRA, and who was active in the IRA during its period of 'armed struggle'. He said he was reputed to have been a chief negotiator between the provisional movement and the British government in the 1970s, and thereafter, he was reputed to have a role in the Belfast IRA as its officer commanding. Following this he was reputed to have become a member of the IRA's army council, Mr McDowell said. Asked, in his view, how widespread these views are, Mr McDowell said that excluding former Sinn Féin politicians Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris, he'd never met anyone in the 'political process or the media' who did not believe he was in the IRA, 'and who have not treated him on that basis'. He said during the peace process that immediately following the Belfast Agreement in 1998, the view of those in the Irish Government, based on intelligence briefings, was that Mr Adams was a leading member of the army council, along with Mr McGuinness and Mr Ferris. Asked more generally about Mr Adams' reputation among politicians, Mr McDowell said that he has never met any politician that did not believe he was a leading member of the IRA during its armed campaign, and thereafter a dominant figure within its army council. Mr McDowell is yet to be cross-examined. Earlier, Ann Travers, whose sister was killed by the IRA in 1984, said Mr Adams' reputation was that of a 'warmonger'. She said she believed this because of his support of the IRA and 'the murder of innocent people'. Ms Travers told the jury that while walking from Mass, her sister was killed, her father was shot six times, and said there was also an attempt on her mother's life. The witness said she was an advocate for South East Fermanagh Foundation, a support group for victims of violence with about 5,000 members. She said Mr Adams' reputation within victims' groups as someone 'heavily involved' with the murder of innocent people, and as a senior member of the IRA, and senior member of Sinn Féin. Under cross-examination from Declan Doyle SC, for Mr Adams, Ms Travers said Mr Adams has 'cast a long and dark shadow' over her life, and said she 'would even have a fear of him'. She said that when she speaks to people about Mr Adams, most roll their eyes and their heads. When put to the witness by Mr Doyle that Mr Adams' reputation is that of a peacemaker, she said: 'I'm very sorry, but I would disagree.' She said that if she were to be asked about peacemakers in the context of Northern Ireland, the first person she would think of is John Hume. Asked if she agreed that Northern Ireland is peaceful now compared to during The Troubles, she said: 'Of course, we should all be grateful we're not getting murdered anymore.' Mr Doyle put it to the witness that her evidence was tainted by personal hurt and tragedy, and a personal animus against Mr Adams. Ms Travers denied this, adding, 'obviously, I don't love Mr Adams'. Put to the witness that there would be no peace in Northern Ireland were it not for Mr Adams, and that that is his reputation, she said she didn't agree. The trial, before Mr Justice Alexander Owens, continues.
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Senator tells Gerry Adams defamation case he was known to politicians as leading member of the IRA
Senator Michael McDowell has told a jury in Gerry Adams' defamation case he had never met any politician — apart from Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris — that did not believe the former Sinn Féin president was a member of the Provisional IRA. Mr McDowell, a former tánaiste and attorney general, was giving evidence at the High Court on the fourth week of a trial hearing into Mr Adams' action. Mr Adams claims a BBC Spotlight programme and a related article published in 2016 defamed him by falsely accusing him of sanctioning British agent Denis Donaldson's killing at a cottage in Glenties, Co Donegal, in 2006. The BBC denies it defamed Mr Adams, who insists he had no involvement in the death, for which dissident republicans claimed responsibility in 2009. On Wednesday, asked by BBC counsel Paul Gallagher SC about Mr Adams' reputation among the public, Mr McDowell said Mr Adams was known as a politician now, who was a leading member of the IRA, and who was active in the IRA during its period of 'armed struggle'. He said he was reputed to have been a chief negotiator between the provisional movement and the British government in the 1970s, and thereafter, he was reputed to have a role in the Belfast IRA as its officer commanding. Following this, he was reputed to have become a member of the IRA's army council, Mr McDowell said. Witness Ann Travers, whose sister was killed by the IRA in 1984, said Mr Adams' reputation was that of a 'warmonger'. Asked, in his view, how widespread these views were, Mr McDowell said excluding former Sinn Féin politicians Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris, he had never met anyone in the 'political process or the media' who did not believe Mr Adams was in the IRA, 'and who have not treated him on that basis'. He said during the peace process that immediately following the Belfast Agreement in 1998, the view of those in the Irish government, based on intelligence briefings, was that Mr Adams was a leading member of the army council, along with Mr McGuinness and Mr Ferris. Asked more generally about Mr Adams' reputation among politicians, Mr McDowell said he had never met any politician that did not believe he was a leading member of the IRA during its armed campaign, and thereafter a dominant figure within its army council. Mr McDowell is yet to be cross-examined. Earlier, Ann Travers, whose sister was killed by the IRA in 1984, said Mr Adams' reputation was that of a 'warmonger'. She said she believed this because of his support of the IRA and 'the murder of innocent people'. Ms Travers told the jury while walking from Mass, her sister was killed, her father was shot six times, and said there was also an attempt on her mother's life. The witness said she was an advocate for South East Fermanagh Foundation, a support group for victims of violence with about 5,000 members. She said Mr Adams' reputation within victims' groups was someone 'heavily involved' with the murder of innocent people, and as a senior member of the IRA, and senior member of Sinn Féin. Under cross-examination from Declan Doyle SC, for Mr Adams, Ms Travers said Mr Adams had 'cast a long and dark shadow' over her life, and said she 'would even have a fear of him'. She said when she speaks to people about Mr Adams, most roll their eyes and their heads. When put to the witness by Mr Doyle that Mr Adams' reputation was that of a peacemaker, she said: 'I'm very sorry, but I would disagree.' She said if she were to be asked about peacemakers in the context of Northern Ireland, the first person she would think of was John Hume. Asked if she agreed Northern Ireland was peaceful now compared to during the Troubles, she said: 'Of course, we should all be grateful we're not getting murdered anymore.' Mr Doyle put it to the witness her evidence was tainted by personal hurt and tragedy, and a personal animus against Mr Adams. Ms Travers denied this, adding: 'Obviously, I don't love Mr Adams'. Put to the witness there would be no peace in Northern Ireland were it not for Mr Adams, and that that is his reputation, she said she did not agree. The trial continues.
Irish Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
How to fix the Northern Ireland economy
Over the last 50 years, the North's economy has performed poorly, not only relative to the Republic but also compared to the rest of the United Kingdom. While the Troubles had a big impact in the 1970s and 1980s, the 25 years since the Belfast Agreement have not been marked by a recovery in its position within the UK, despite Stormont having control over important aspects of its economy. Northern Ireland could do much better if it had a long-term strategy designed to raise productivity and living standards. Some of the vital elements of such a strategy were considered at an Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) 'shared island' conference earlier this week. [ Republic and NI must co-operate to attract foreign investment to Border counties, says Taoiseach Opens in new window ] When compared to the rest of the UK. the North spends more per head on education and health, but gets poorer outcomes. The priority should be to raise the delivery of key public services to the standard of the rest of the United Kingdom. This means managing the North's existing resources at least as well as the rest of the UK. READ MORE Unlike the rest of the United Kingdom, which abandoned such selection decades ago, today in the North 40 per cent of children are selected at age 11 to go to grammar school, with the remaining 60 per cent facing poorer prospects and life chances. This results in a much higher level of early school leaving than elsewhere in the UK or the Republic, with serious long-term social and economic consequences. An effective way to tackle underperforming education would be to eliminate selection at age 11, integrate Protestant and Catholic schools, and provide a unitary post-primary system. Instead of having four second-level schools, Catholic and Protestant, grammar and secondary, in a town, a single school could provide a much better range of educational opportunities at a lower cost. John Turner of Queen's University advocated this reform at the ESRI conference . It wouldn't be easy. Apart from the opposition of interest groups, implementing such a big change would take time, as the new integrated schools would need larger buildings with enhanced facilities. But here in the Republic, in many of our towns, we have successfully integrated separate boys' and girls' secondary schools and the local vocational school. 100 days of Trump: 'It's like The Karate Kid, tax on, tax off, tariffs on, tariffs off' Listen | 42:49 The North also needs to expand the number of third-level places. Today, many northern students pursue their university education in Britain, never to return. More college places in the North would lead to a long-term increase in the share of graduates in the workforce, and raise labour productivity and prosperity in the coming decades. While spending per head on health is higher in the North than elsewhere in the UK, it delivers poorer services, with much longer waiting lists. One factor is the absence of consolidation of hospital services into a smaller number of centres of excellence. Here in the Republic, former minister for health Mary Harney's consolidation of cancer services into eight centres of excellence improved outcomes by concentrating expertise, particularly in rarer conditions. As in education, any programme of consolidation would require additional capital investment to deliver expanded facilities. The North also suffers from significant infrastructural deficits, especially in water and transport. These hamper economic, social, and environmental development. Northern Ireland's investment per head in transport is only two-thirds of that in the rest of the United Kingdom. While the long-term running costs of consolidated health or education services should be no higher than at present, there would be significant upfront investment needed to achieve the mergers that would yield better results. Additional investment is also needed in Northern Ireland's transport and water infrastructure. In the short run, painful cuts may be needed elsewhere to find the funds to reallocate to investment. Stormont will find it difficult to take tough decisions that will yield long-term benefits and to sell this to the community. One potential source of revenue for additional investment could be to raise the North's property tax rates to match those in England. Such a tax increase would fall more heavily on those who are better off, so would be progressive. If the North implemented the necessary far-reaching reforms, over the next 25 years, it would greatly enhance living standards and social conditions for all. For those who hanker after a United Ireland, their first port of call should be to make this happen, narrowing the current big gap with the Republic and Britain. While the benefits would take years to mature, it would eventually greatly reduce the potential cost to the Republic of unification. For unionists, narrowing the gap with the rest of the UK would be also be a big plus. A win-win.
