Gerry Adams, the former leader of Sinn Féin, is facing allegations that he was a senior figure in the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during a civil trial in London. The trial involves three victims of IRA bombings who are suing Adams for symbolic damages of £1 each, alleging he was culpable for decisions to plant bombs that injured them.
Key Takeaways
Gerry Adams faces allegations of IRA leadership during a civil trial in London. Former police officers and intelligence officials claim he was a senior figure in the organization. Adams denies any involvement with the IRA.
- Gerry Adams is being sued by victims of IRA bombings
- Witnesses allege Adams led the Provisional IRA during the Troubles
- Adams denies ever being a member of the IRA or sitting on its army council
- Former police officers and intelligence officials testify about their beliefs based on intelligence reports
According to multiple sources, former police officers and intelligence officials have testified that they believe Adams led the Provisional IRA (PIRA) during the Troubles. Tim Hanley, a retired detective chief superintendent with the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), stated in his written witness statement: 'There is no question in my mind that Adams was the leader of the PIRA; that’s what all the intelligence concluded.'
Another witness, identified as Witness B and testifying from behind a screen to protect their identity, claimed that much of the intelligence he read communicated both explicitly and implicitly that Adams was a senior member of the IRA army council and its de facto leader. He said: 'All my working colleagues in the RUC special branch believed this to be the case.'
Adams' lawyers have argued that the evidence against him is based on hearsay and questioned why he was not arrested if such intelligence existed. Witness B responded that there had been finite resources and that very few people were prosecuted for IRA membership unless they were caught with guns or bombs.
Austin Stack, whose father Brian was an Irish prison officer murdered by the IRA in 1983, also testified about his meetings with Adams. He claimed that Adams arranged a meeting between him and another senior member of the IRA to discuss his father's murder. According to Daily Mail, Stack said he felt this was an 'attempt to intimidate me,' adding: [It] was a strange opening comment from a man who presented himself as a politician and a man of peace.'
Adams has consistently denied any involvement with the IRA or its army council. His lawyers have criticized the timing of the case, which is being brought several decades after the attacks.
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