Gerry Adams welcomes ’emphatic end’ to High Court claim over IRA bombings

By Callum Parke, Jonathan McCambridge and Danny Halpin, Press Association

Gerry Adams has welcomed the “emphatic end” of a High Court damages claim against him by three victims of Provisional IRA bombings and said the case “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 Féin president had been “discontinued” with “no order as to costs”.

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, had sued Mr Adams for £1 in damages over allegations that he was a leading member of the Provisional IRA on those dates, including of its army council.

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, 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”.

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

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 Féin team which worked closely with me.”