11-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Gerry Adams accuses BBC barrister of trying to persuade jury he has ‘no reputation whatsoever'
The former Sinn Féin leader gave seven days of evidence, as part of his defamation case against the BBC.
He claims a BBC Spotlight programme, and an online story, defamed him by alleging he sanctioned a murder for which he denies any involvement.
Former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson was shot dead in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent for 20 years.
In 2009 the Real IRA admitted killing Mr Donaldson – the Spotlight programme was broadcast in September 2016.
Mr Adams' legal team says his reputation as a 'peacemaker' had suffered an 'unjustified' attack because of the broadcast of the BBC programme -
Gerry Adams' says the allegation was made by an anonymous, unidentified person that 'we don't even know exists'.
The BBC denies defaming him and says the programme was put out in good faith and during the course of discussion on a subject of public and vital interest. It argues the broadcast and the article were fair, reasonable and in the public interest.
Mark Tighe, who has been covering the case for the Sunday Independent, joins Ciarán Dunbar on the latest episode of The BelTel.
