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The Independent
9 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
Omagh bomb inquiry chair refuses Government's bid to redact civil servant names
The chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry has rejected a bid by the Government to redact the names of junior civil servants in documents shared with other parties involved in the probe. The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) had argued that junior members of the Civil Service had more expectation of privacy than senior civil servants and it had raised potential security concerns over sharing their names. Inquiry chairman Lord Turnbull refused the application made by Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn in a ruling published on Tuesday and the documents, which are already in the possession of the inquiry, will now be shared with other core participants. The chairman made clear that the issue under consideration only related to sharing the documents with other core participants in the inquiry, and did not relate to the potential for them to be made public. Lord Turnbull stressed that all core participants are bound by confidentiality agreements. He said the issue about the potential publication of the names during the inquiry proceedings would be dealt with at a later juncture. 'This ruling is not concerned with the separate question of whether the content of any documentation which is disclosed in an unredacted fashion may, in due course, be aired in evidence and, or, published in the media,' he said. The Real IRA bomb in the Co Tyrone town in August 1998 killed 29 people, including a woman who was pregnant with twins, in the worst single atrocity in the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The public inquiry was set up by the previous government to examine whether the explosion could have been prevented by the UK authorities. Mr Benn's application was considered during procedural hearings in Belfast last month. During proceedings, the inquiry also considered a submission on the PSNI's position in respect of disclosing the names of people suspected of involvement in the 1998 attack and other linked terror activity. The PSNI did not make an application for redaction, and instead just set out its own view in respect of the issue. During the hearings, several media organisations also made representations in respect of both the Government and PSNI's submissions. In relation to the naming of suspects, Lord Turnbull said the matter was more 'straightforward' than the application to redact junior civil servants' names. 'In the end, there was no dispute between any of the contributing counsel as to what the correct approach should be,' he added. The inquiry intends to put suspects in one of two categories – those who have been named publicly in the media or Parliament already, and those who have not. Those in the first category will be assumed not to have a 'reasonable expectation' of privacy. Those in the second category will be subject to further examination by the inquiry to consider issues around privacy rights and security risks.
BBC News
16 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Gerry Adams: BBC to seek more time on whether to appeal libel case
A court in Dublin has been told the BBC intends to apply for orders relating to Gerry Adams' successful libel case against the corporation to be the "stay" is granted, it would allow the BBC time to consider whether it will appeal against the verdict. Mr Adams was awarded €100,000 (£84,000) damages, with the BBC also in line to pay his legal court found the 76-year-old was defamed in a story about the murder of Denis Donaldson. Mr Adams brought the case over an episode of BBC Northern Ireland's "Spotlight" series in 2016, and an accompanying online a court hearing on Tuesday morning, a lawyer for the BBC told a judge that the corporation intended to apply for a "stay". Who was Denis Donaldson? Mr Donaldson was once a key figure in Sinn Féin's rise as a political force in Northern he 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 on sources, Spotlight claimed the killing was the work of the Provisional Donaldson was interned without trial for periods in the 1970s and, after signing the Good Friday Agreement, Sinn Féin appointed him as its key administrator in the party's Stormont 2005, Mr Donaldson confessed he was a spy for British intelligence for two decades, before disappearing from was found dead in a small, rundown cottage in Glenties, County Donegal. Who is Gerry Adams? Mr Adams was the president of republican party Sinn Féin from 1983 until served as MP in his native Belfast West 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.
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Adams libel trial ‘retraumatising' for Denis Donaldson's family, lawyer says
The family of Denis Donaldson suffered retraumatisation during Gerry Adams' defamation case against the BBC, their lawyer has said. Solicitor Enda McGarrity said the family had to sit through the high-profile five-week case at Dublin High Court when their own efforts to pursue legal remedies have been 'stonewalled at every turn'. Mr Adams was awarded 100,000 euros (£84,000) by a jury over a 2016 BBC programme which alleged he had sanctioned the murder of Mr Donaldson, a former Sinn Fein member who had been exposed as a British agent. Mr Adams had described the allegation as a 'grievous smear'. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006. In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing and a Garda investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Mr McGarrity told the RTE This Week programme the Donaldson family had been initially 'ambivalent' as to the outcome of the case. He said: '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 family had to listen along as private and sensitive information was tossed around with little regard to the Donaldson family. 'Probably the most galling part for the family is that they've had to sit through five weeks of hearings in a case which concerned the murder of their loved one Denis Donaldson, and yet when they've tried to pursue their own legal remedies, they've been stonewalled at every turn. 'The process has been an extremely difficult one for the family.' Now that the libel case has concluded, Mr McGarrity said focus should turn to seeking answers for the Donaldson family. He said: 'It has been a tortuous 19-year search for justice and the family acknowledge this case was ostensibly about Gerry Adams' reputation, not about uncovering the circumstances surrounding the murder of Denis Donaldson. '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.' The lawyer said the current Garda investigation was limited to who carried out the murder, not the wider circumstances. He said: 'When we look to mechanisms which could explore those you have things like coroners' inquests, one of the practical difficulties is that the inquest has been adjourned 27 times, quite an unprecedented delay. 'It begs the question, how is justice to be delivered to the Donaldson family if the Garda investigation is only looking at a limited aspect of the murder and the coroner's inquest won't begin until that process finishes. 'That has led the family to call for a commission of investigation to properly investigate these issues.' Mr McGarrity said there was a 'unique cross-border element' to the death of Mr Donaldson. He added: 'Who was behind it and who pulled the trigger isn't the only question. The circumstances leading up to that, how Denis Donaldson came to be exposed, how his location came to be known in Donegal, there are lots of ancillary questions. 'All of which I think the family are aware we may not get full unvarnished answers to every aspect, but at this point they haven't even got close to the truth and they deserve answers and accountability.' He said the Donaldson family would now be seeking a meeting with Irish Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan. 'This family are 19 years down the line and they are no further forward. 'There needs to be a discussion and we would certainly welcome prompt engagement with the minister.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former Sinn Fein leader awarded thousands in damages after winning libel action against BBC
Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has been awarded €100,000 (£84,000) in damages after winning his defamation action against the BBC. The 76-year-old had claimed a BBC Spotlight programme and an online article published in 2016 defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the murder of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement. A jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour on Friday after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. It also found the BBC's actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. Mr Donaldson, 55, was shot dead at a cottage near Glenties, County Donegal in 2006, months after being exposed as a British agent. The dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing in 2009 and a Garda investigation is ongoing. During the civil defamation trial, Mr Adams claimed the Spotlight programme was an "attempted hatchet job" that was "full of inaccuracies". The programme featured an anonymous source named "Martin" who said that murders had to be approved by the political and military leadership of the IRA. When pressed on who he was referring to, "Martin" replied: "Gerry Adams. He gives the final say". Mr Adams, who spent seven days in the witness box during the trial, described the allegation as a "grievous smear". He told the court that he had "liked" Mr Donaldson and was "shocked" to learn of his murder. "Personally, I think Denis Donaldson was a victim of the conflict. I don't see any other way of describing it," he said. Speaking outside court after the verdict, Mr Adams, who spoke in both Irish and English, said this case was "about putting manners on the British Broadcasting Corporation". Mr Adams told reporters: "The British Broadcasting Corporation upholds the ethos of the British state in Ireland, and in my view it's out of sync in many, many fronts with the Good Friday Agreement. "It hasn't caught on to where we are on this island as part of the process, the continuing process, of building peace and justice, and harmony, and, hopefully, in the time ahead, unity." Mr Adams added that he was "very mindful of the Donaldson family" in the course of the case. He continued: "I want to say that the Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan should meet the family of Denis Donaldson as quickly as possible, and that there's an onus on both governments and everyone else, and I include myself in this, to try and deal with these legacy issues as best that we can." Asked what the outcome of the case might mean for his reputation, Mr Adams replied: "I've always been satisfied with my reputation. "Obviously, like yourself, we all have flaws in our character, but the jury made the decision and let's accept the outcome, and I think let's accept what the jury said." Mr Adams's legal team sought at least €200,000 (£168,000) in damages. The former Sinn Fein president had said he would give any award received to good causes. His testimony during the trial was wide-ranging, including a lengthy account of his early years and political awakenings. At times, he became emotional as he recalled past events. Read more from Sky News: The BBC denied it defamed Mr Adams and claimed the Spotlight programme and article were put out in good faith and during the course of discussion on a subject of public and vital interest. It defended its "responsible journalism" and said that it was the result of careful investigation. The BBC also argued it was merely reporting allegations, rather than standing over them. The British public service broadcaster also argued it would be a "cruel joke" to award the former Sinn Fein president any damages. Adam Smyth, director of BBC Northern Ireland, expressed disappointment at the outcome of the case. Speaking to media outside court, Mr Smyth said: "We believe we supplied extensive evidence to the court of the careful editorial processes and journalistic diligence applied to this programme, and to the accompanying online article. "Moreover, it was accepted by the court and conceded by Gerry Adams' legal team that the Spotlight broadcast and publication were of the highest public interest. "We didn't want to come to court but it was important that we defend our journalism and we stand by that decision. "[Northern Ireland's] past is difficult terrain for any jury and we thank them for their diligence and careful consideration of the issues in this case. "The implications of their decision, though, are profound. As our legal team made clear, if the BBC's case cannot be won under existing Irish defamation law, it is hard to see how anyone's could, and they warned how today's decision would hinder freedom of expression." BBC Spotlight reporter Jennifer O'Leary said: "I said in the witness box that I had nothing to hide, only sources to protect, and I want to thank them for trusting me. "I'm a big believer in trying your best in life and going about your business with integrity, and I want to pay a particular tribute to our witnesses in court, senator Michael McDowell, Trevor Ringland, and in particular Ann Travers, who spoke so courageously. "There are thousands of Ann Travers across this island and in Britain, victims and survivors of the Troubles, and in the years of violence after the peace agreement ... those people carry the burden of their grief and trauma with incredible dignity and courage, and they are the people I am thinking of, I know my colleagues are also thinking of. I am thinking of all of them today."
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Adams libel trial ‘retraumatising' for Denis Donaldson's family, lawyer says
The family of Denis Donaldson suffered retraumatisation during Gerry Adams' defamation case against the BBC, their lawyer has said. Solicitor Enda McGarrity said the family had to sit through the high-profile five-week case at Dublin High Court when their own efforts to pursue legal remedies have been 'stonewalled at every turn'. Advertisement Mr Adams was awarded €100,000 by a jury over a 2016 BBC programme which alleged he had sanctioned the murder of Mr Donaldson, a former Sinn Féin member who had been exposed as a British agent. Mr Adams had described the allegation as a 'grievous smear'. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006. Enda McGarrity said the Gerry Adams libel case against the BBC had been extremely difficult for the Donaldson family Photo: Liam McBurney/PA. In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing and a Garda investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Mr McGarrity told the RTÉ This Week programme the Donaldson family had been initially 'ambivalent' as to the outcome of the case. Advertisement He said: '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 family had to listen along as private and sensitive information was tossed around with little regard to the Donaldson family. 'Probably the most galling part for the family is that they've had to sit through five weeks of hearings in a case which concerned the murder of their loved one Denis Donaldson, and yet when they've tried to pursue their own legal remedies, they've been stonewalled at every turn. Advertisement 'The process has been an extremely difficult one for the family.' Now that the libel case has concluded, Mr McGarrity said focus should turn to seeking answers for the Donaldson family. He said: 'It has been a tortuous 19-year search for justice and the family acknowledge this case was ostensibly about Gerry Adams' reputation, not about uncovering the circumstances surrounding the murder of Denis Donaldson. '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.' Advertisement '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.' Mr McGarrity said the Donaldson family had been ambivalent about the outcome of the Adams libel trial. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. The lawyer said the current Garda investigation was limited to who carried out the murder, not the wider circumstances. He said: 'When we look to mechanisms which could explore those you have things like coroners' inquests, one of the practical difficulties is that the inquest has been adjourned 27 times, quite an unprecedented delay. 'It begs the question, how is justice to be delivered to the Donaldson family if the Garda investigation is only looking at a limited aspect of the murder and the coroner's inquest won't begin until that process finishes. Advertisement 'That has led the family to call for a commission of investigation to properly investigate these issues.' Mr McGarrity said there was a 'unique cross-border element' to the death of Mr Donaldson. He added: 'Who was behind it and who pulled the trigger isn't the only question. The circumstances leading up to that, how Denis Donaldson came to be exposed, how his location came to be known in Donegal, there are lots of ancillary questions. 'All of which I think the family are aware we may not get full unvarnished answers to every aspect, but at this point they haven't even got close to the truth and they deserve answers and accountability.' Ireland What Gerry Adams said during seven days of evidenc... Read More He said the Donaldson family would now be seeking a meeting with Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan. 'This family are 19 years down the line and they are no further forward. 'There needs to be a discussion and we would certainly welcome prompt engagement with the minister.'
