Latest news with #ex-SinnFéin
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
BBC Ordered To Pay Irish Republican Politician Gerry Adams $113,000 After Losing Libel Case
The BBC has been ordered to pay €100,000 ($113,000) in damages to ex-Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams in a libel case about the murder of an Irish MI5 informant. Responding, the BBC said today's decision could 'hinder freedom of expression.' In a BBC Northern Ireland Spotlight documentary that aired in 2016 plus an online article, Adams was identified by an anonymous contributor as sanctioning the 2006 murder of Denis Donaldson, a member of Sinn Féin and volunteer for the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) who was then exposed as an MI5 informant and killed soon after. The Real IRA, which was distinct from the Provisional, claimed responsibility for his murder in 2009. More from Deadline BBC Presenter Gary Lineker Bids Emotional Farewell To 'Match Of The Day' After Controversial Exit Alan Yentob Dead: Arts Figures Pay Tribute To Influential BBC Arts Producer Following Death Aged 78 Ed Sheeran Makes Surprise Appearance At BBC Music Festival In Liverpool According to BBC News, Adams' legal bill is believed by sources to be between €3M to €5M. This would make the trial one of the most expensive cases the BBC has ever has always denied all involvement with Donaldson's murder and a hearing in Dublin today ordered the BBC to pay him €100,000. Adams is one of the most-well known Irish political figures of the modern era, who was President of Sinn Fein from 1983 to 2018. He had previously condemned the murder of Donaldson. Adams was witness to the trial that has taken place over the past five weeks, which saw the BBC argue a defence of fair and reasonable reporting on a matter of public interest. BBC News reported that the 11-person jury had to answer five questions. They answered 'yes' to whether the words in the programme 'mean Mr Adams sanctioned and approved Denis Donaldson's murder'. They answered the same to whether the news article accompanying the doc did the same. They answered 'no' to whether the BBC reported the allegations in good faith and they decided Adams should be awarded €100,000 upon being questioned over how much the damages were worth. Responding, BBC Northern Ireland Director Adam Smyth said the implications of the decision are 'profound' and 'could hinder freedom of expression.' '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,' he added. 'We didn't want to come to court, but it was important that we defend our journalism and we stand by that decision. Our past is difficult terrain for any jury and we thank them for their diligence and careful consideration of the issues in this case.' Smyth said his team 'believe we supplied extensive evidence to the court of the careful editorial process and journalistic diligence applied to this programme,' while '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.' Spotlight's reporter Jennifer O'Leary added: '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.'Best of Deadline Everything We Know About Netflix's 'The Thursday Murder Club' So Far 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
Belfast Telegraph
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Gerry Adams vs the BBC: ‘I am here to defend the journalism,' reporter tells ‘smear' trial
latest | Costs rise to €1m in case brought by ex-Sinn Féin leader over allegations about murder of party official As Declan Doyle, one of Gerry Adams's senior counsel, cross-examined the editor of BBC's Spotlight programme last week, he asked her about directions she had given the actor who voiced 'Martin', the pseudonym for an ex-IRA/Sinn Féin man turned British spy. It was 'Martin', wearing a baseball cap and with his appearance obscured by a piece of glass, who alleged in a 2016 Spotlight documentary that Gerry Adams had authorised the 2006 killing of Denis Donaldson, a Sinn Féin official, months after he confessed to being a British spy.
Irish Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Garda Commissioner seeks to overturn demand for officers to give evidence at Gerry Adams libel trial
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is seeking to prevent two of his senior officers from having to give evidence in Gerry Adams's upcoming libel case against the BBC. Witness summonses and subpoenas have been issued to a superintendent and a Garda inspector requiring them to give evidence at the civil trial due to start before a jury next Tuesday, the High Court heard on Friday. Following a brief application, Mr Justice Mark Heslin granted the Garda chief permission to try to block the requirement for the two gardaí to appear. The judge said such a motion can be brought on the opening date of the High Court defamation action. The application came ex parte, meaning only the Garda Commissioner was represented in the court. READ MORE In his case initiated seven years ago, Mr Adams alleges the BBC defamed him by falsely claiming he sanctioned the killing of ex-Sinn Féin official Denis Donaldson (55), who worked for decades as a British spy. Donaldson was shot dead inside an isolated cottage near Glenties, Co Donegal, in April 2006, some months after being exposed as an MI5 agent. Mr Adams's case takes issue with allegations against him being made in a 2016 BBC Spotlight programme and in an article on the broadcaster's website. The claims were made by an anonymous source, referred to as 'Martin', who claimed to be a paid British agent while an IRA member. The court has heard the broadcaster will argue Mr Adams was a leading member of the IRA during its campaign of violence throughout the Troubles and that he had a history of not condemning the killing of informers. Mr Adams has at all times denied any involvement in Mr Donaldson's death, which dissident republicans claimed responsibility for in 2009. He claims all allegations connecting him or the IRA to the death are attempts to discredit republicans. The trial before a High Court jury and Mr Justice Alexander Owens is due to last two weeks.
