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BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Gerry Adams: Politicians respond to former Sinn Féin leader's libel victory
Politicians have been reacting to Gerry Adams' libel victory over the former Sinn Féin leader has won €100,000 (£84,000) in damages over a BBC story about the murder of a British agent.A court found Mr Adams was defamed in a BBC NI Spotlight programme broadcast in 2016 and an accompanying online article, in which an anonymous contributor alleged he sanctioned the 2006 murder of Denis Adams, 76, denies any involvement. He said taking the case "was about putting manners on the British Broadcasting Corporation".The trial at the High Court in Dublin heard four weeks of evidence from 10 witnesses, including Mr Adams and BBC NI reporter Jennifer O' Smyth, director of BBC NI, said its legal team had warned the jury's decision in the high-profile case could "hinder freedom of expression".LIVE: Ex-Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams awarded €100,000 in libel case against BBC Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin TD Sinn Féin TD (member of the Irish parliament) Matt Carthy described Mr Adams as "a legend"."For years some journalists and the political establishment have felt that they could lie about Irish Republicans and rewrite the history of conflict in Ireland," he said."Once again, today, they got their answer." DUP leader Gavin Robinson Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson said his thoughts were "with the innocent victims who suffered at the hands of the IRA"."While journalists must always be able to scrutinise and investigate in the public interest, the BBC have significant questions to answer," the Belfast East MP said."How have they found themselves in a situation where allegations were insufficiently evidenced with the consequence that license payers money will be now be spent on both damages and reputed legal costs running into many millions?" SDLP's Matthew O'Toole Matthew O'Toole from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) said Mr Adams was "entitled to petition a court", adding that "the BBC will have questions to consider"."But today I'm thinking of the thousands of victims of the IRA, loyalists and the state who will never get a single day in court, let alone justice," he O'Toole is the SDLP's leader of the Opposition at Stormont. TUV leader Jim Allister Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister said: "Regardless of the verdict delivered by a Dublin jury, the people of Northern Ireland know that Gerry Adams stood front and centre in justifying and defending 30 years of brutal IRA terror." Who was Denis Donaldson? Denis Donaldson was once a key figure in Sinn Féin's rise as a political force in Northern was found murdered in 2006 after it emerged he had worked for the police and MI5 inside Sinn Féin for 20 2009, the Real IRA said it had murdered him. Who is Gerry Adams? Mr Adams was the president of republican party Sinn Féin from 1983 until served as MP in his native west Belfast from 1983 to 1992 and again from 1997 until 2011 before sitting as a TD (Teachta Dála) in the Dáil (Irish parliament) between 2011 and Adams led the Sinn Féin delegation during peace talks that eventually brought an end to the Troubles after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in was detained in the early 1970s when the government in Northern Ireland introduced internment without trial for those suspected of paramilitary Adams has consistently denied being a member of the IRA.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Voting: 16-year-olds talk about lowering the voting age
In two years' time, five students that spoke to BBC News NI at Belfast High School in County Antrim will turn 16, meaning they'll be able to get a job, donate blood or even join the armed 2027, they might also be counted among the first 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland who could be able to a prospect that excites some of them, like 14-year-old Bea, who said if young people are contributing to society they should get a say on who makes the rules."It would be amazing, 16-year-olds should have a say, especially if they are getting jobs." There's already been a long-running grassroots campaign to change the law in Northern Ireland, but things ramped up a gear when Labour made a promise in last year's election manifesto to reduce the voting age from 18 to Northern Ireland Assembly has twice supported a motion calling for the change - first in 2012 and then again last year, but without the support of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).Without full-party agreement at Stormont it remains in the hands of the Labour government at Westminster, which is already playing catch-up with governments in Scotland and Wales, where 16-year-olds can already April, Secretary of State Hilary Benn said the government was "absolutely committed" to changing the law in Northern Ireland, but couldn't give a timeframe."It's just about getting legislative time in parliament - politics is about the future and if you can be a company director at the age of 16 I think you should be able to vote," he said. 'Feel like a minority' That sentiment goes down well with fellow pupil, said: "It does get annoying when governments can make laws and we don't have any say, if the government changes the minimum wage I don't want to be trying to get a job at 16 and being paid little. "They think it's okay because we're younger but it makes you feel like you're in a minority." Alliance is among the parties at Stormont who want the voting age to be member Sian Mulholland said those against the move should realise that "the sky didn't fall in when they changed the law in Scotland"."It showed that young people were more likely to go on and vote in subsequent elections, it started and fostered a lifelong journey."But the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)'s Deborah Erskine said there could be "unintended consequences" if the law is changed."I was always very politically in tune but my friends weren't when I was 16. Did I want to vote at 16? Probably not actually."This is not just about party political gain, we need to take a lot into consideration including schools in terms of the political nature and how that could manifest itself in debates." Rory can understand the arguments against change, adding: "16-year-olds don't need any more pressure, they already have a lot going on."If pressure can be minimised a lot of us probably would want to vote even if we don't know much about politics." Ethan feels lowering the voting age would mean schools could do more to engage with students about the basics of politics. "Schools set us up for life in a lot of aspects but the one it doesn't really is politics, they don't teach us that much about what voting is, I think this would encourage us as well to find out a bit more on our own." Sai would like to see schools bringing in politicians more regularly to explain their policies, as he thinks sometimes parties take younger people for granted."Telling us what they're trying to achieve and what they stand for would make a big difference to us when we might be voting, whether that's at 16 or 18 or later."Northern Ireland's Chief Electoral Officer David Marshall said it could be a number of years before any changes take effect."This would be the biggest change in voter registration age laws since franchise was changed in 1969 from 21 to 18; there are substantial changes required," he added that his office "stands ready" to support the government if it goes ahead to implement the for whether the students at Belfast High School stand ready to vote when they turn 16, their message to the politicians is: "Get it done."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trial of Northern Ireland's Donaldson set to start in November
BELFAST (Reuters) - The trial of former Northern Ireland politician Jeffrey Donaldson for historical sex offences has been provisionally scheduled to start on November 3, a court heard on Friday. The trial of the former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader and his wife Eleanor was delayed in March after the court heard that Eleanor was unwell. A review hearing on June 5 will assess whether Eleanor can participate in the trial, Newry Crown Court heard. Donaldson, once one of Northern Ireland's best-known politicians, stepped down suddenly as head of the British region's largest unionist party in March last year after the DUP said he had been charged with allegations of an historical nature. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include 13 counts of indecent assault on a female child and four counts of gross indecency towards a child. The charges relate to two complainants and the events allegedly took place between 1985 and 2008. Eleanor Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to three charges, including aiding and abetting rape. The trial is expected to last three weeks.
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Trial of Northern Ireland's Donaldson set to start in November
FILE PHOTO: Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) charged with historical sex offences, leaves the Newry Magistrates Court after a preliminary enquiry, in Newry, Northern Ireland, July 3, 2024. REUTERS/Damien Eagers BELFAST - The trial of former Northern Ireland politician Jeffrey Donaldson for historical sex offences has been provisionally scheduled to start on November 3, a court heard on Friday. The trial of the former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader and his wife Eleanor was delayed in March after the court heard that Eleanor was unwell. A review hearing on June 5 will assess whether Eleanor can participate in the trial, Newry Crown Court heard. Donaldson, once one of Northern Ireland's best-known politicians, stepped down suddenly as head of the British region's largest unionist party in March last year after the DUP said he had been charged with allegations of an historical nature. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include 13 counts of indecent assault on a female child and four counts of gross indecency towards a child. The charges relate to two complainants and the events allegedly took place between 1985 and 2008. Eleanor Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to three charges, including aiding and abetting rape. The trial is expected to last three weeks. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
National Trust blocks cable car plan for NI's highest mountain
The National Trust has said it will not lease land it manages in the Mourne Mountains for the development of a cable car up Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland's highest mountain. The proposed £44m project would have involved the development of a 1km cable car structure from Donard Park up to a disused quarry. The National Trust has said the project should not go ahead in light of the "fragile and threatened" state of the Mourne landscape. However a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member for the area has warned the decision could jeopardise £30m of government city deal money earmarked for the project. Diane Forsythe said the scheme, funded from the Belfast Region City Deal, was "designed to support sustainable tourism and enhanced accessibility to the Mournes". She said that the loss of funds "would be a significant setback for our local economy and for the long-term vision of developing the Mournes as a world-class destination accessible to all". "We cannot afford to let this opportunity slip away," Forsythe added. However, Alliance assembly member Andrew McMurray welcomed the move, given the "hugely significant environmental issues associated with the project, especially in light of the damage done by recent fires, as well as the serious concerns around economic viability". In a statement, the National Trust said its responsibility is to "restore nature in the Mournes, whilst balancing safe and sustainable access for people". Last month, there were almost 150 wildfires causing a devastating impact on habitats in the mountain range. The National Trust is responsible for the land in the Eastern Mournes Special Area of Conservation including Slieve Donard and Thomas Quarry - the site earmarked for the proposed gondola station and visitor centre. In a statement on Thursday, the trust confirmed the proposed project would "risk placing additional pressures on already degraded upland habitats". It would therefore "not be considering a lease at Thomas Quarry". The trust said it has engaged with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council on the project proposals but have "consistently expressed our serious concerns" as far back as eight years ago and "encouraged other options to be considered". "We have never endorsed the project and have not been a partner in its development," it added. The trust said its concerns about the upland habitats not being in a "favourable condition" are shared by local people. Last year, a petition of about 6,000 signatures opposing the project was presented to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Those behind the petition said they have environmental and economic concerns about the viability of the scheme that hopes to attract about 350,000 annual visitors. There was also a number businesspeople who supported the project as they believed it would help create a year-round tourist economy for the region. Firefighters tackle weekend of wildfires
