Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams is testifying at the Royal Courts of Justice in London today in a civil case alleging he was liable for IRA bombings between 1973 and 1996. Three men injured in the attacks are seeking a symbolic £1 in damages, arguing Adams was “directly responsible” for the bombings.
Who are the Claimants?
John Clark was injured in the 1973 Old Bailey bombing while on duty as a police officer. Over 200 people were injured in the blast, and one man died of a heart attack.
Jonathan Ganesh was injured in the 1996 Canary Wharf bombing, which killed two and injured many others. He alleges he has suffered significant post-traumatic stress disorder since the attack.
Barry Laycock has taken morphine-strength painkillers daily since being injured in the 1996 Manchester Arndale bombing, which injured approximately 200 people.
Adams Denies Involvement
Adams (77) strongly denies any involvement in the bombings and has repeatedly rejected claims he was ever a member of the IRA. He has stated he was not involved in the planning, preparation, or conduct of the bombings in question.
Adams told the court he was an MP representing West Belfast and was working to bring the conflict to an end. He stated he was “shocked” by the “amount of ignorance” about Ireland in Britain.
He also said he does not distance himself from the IRA, stating, “I don’t stand by everything that they did, but these were my neighbours.”
The Case
The claimants initiated their civil case in 2022, seeking £1 in “vindicatory” damages. They aim to prove Adams was “so intrinsically involved” in the Provisional IRA that he is “as culpable for the assault … as the individuals who planted and detonated the bombs.”
This is a civil trial, meaning a ruling will be reached based on the “balance of probabilities.” Adams’s lawyers have argued the case was brought too late and relies on hearsay evidence.
Adams is currently being cross-examined by the claimants’ barrister, Max Hill, the former British director of public prosecutions. The court is currently in a lunch break and will resume at 1:50pm.
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