Ex-Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has IRA bombing claims DROPPED in ’emphatic finish’
Three victims of Provisional IRA bombings in England have stopped their damages claim against former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams
Gerry Adams says the case against him should never have been brought.(Image: PA)
The civil case against Gerry Adams over IRA bombing has been withdrawn.
Adams welcomed the “emphatic end” of the High Court damages claim against him. He said the case – by three victims of Provisional IRA bombings – “should never have been brought”.
On Friday, the final day of a two-week trial, lawyers for the victims said that the claim against the former Sinn Fein president had been “discontinued” with “no order as to costs.” The claimants’ lawyer, Anne Studd KC, was expected to finish her closing submissions on Friday, but instead told the high court that the claim would be discontinued after “proceedings developed overnight”.
The victims who brought the case alleged that Adams, 77, was personally liable for injuries they received in IRA attacks in London and Manchester in 1973 and 1996. The former Sinn Féin leader had insisted he had no role in the explosions and strongly denied a claim that he was a “major player” in the IRA.
The case was brought by John Clark, a victim of the 1973 Old Bailey bombing in London; Jonathan Ganesh, a 1996 London Docklands bombing victim; and Barry Laycock, a victim of the 1996 Arndale shopping centre bombing in Manchester.
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The trio were suing Mr Adams for a symbolic £1 in damages. The allegations were that he was a leading member of the Provisional IRA on those dates, including of its army council.
The claimants raised more than £100,000 through crowdfunding to bring the case and said they were acting not just for themselves, but for all IRA victims. But Mr Adams told the court in London that he had “no involvement whatsoever” in the bombings and was never a member of the Provisional IRA, with his lawyers claiming that the case should be thrown out as an abuse of the court system.
In a statement following Friday’s announcement, Mr Adams said he attended the trial “out of respect” for the victims and to defend himself “against the smears and false accusations being levelled against me”.
He said: “I asserted the legitimacy of the Republican cause and the right of the people of Ireland to freedom and self-determination. I do so again. During my two days of evidence, I categorically rejected all of the claims being made.I am glad to have been one of those who helped bring an end to the conflict. We now have, through the Good Friday Agreement, a peaceful and democratic route to a new Ireland. That needs a renewed focus, especially by the Irish government.
“An Ireland that is respectful of all of its people and that is based on equality, tolerance and respect. I want to thank all of those who have expressed their solidarity with me and the Sinn Fein team which worked closely with me.”
Due to the result of a pre-trial ruling, Adams is unable to recover his legal costs from the claimants, believed to be six figures.
