More evidence of the right-wing leadership of the BBC and don’t take our word for it
Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has secured victory in a High Court defamation case against the BBC, receiving €100,000 (£84,000) in damages.
The 76-year-old brought the action over a 2016 episode of the BBC’s Spotlight programme and an accompanying online article, which he argued falsely accused him of sanctioning the murder of British informant Denis Donaldson.
Donaldson, a former senior Sinn Féin official, was exposed as a British agent in 2005 and was subsequently shot dead in a remote cottage near Glenties, County Donegal, in 2006.
During the civil trial in Dublin, Mr Adams described the programme as an “attempted hatchet job” and said it was “full of inaccuracies.” Central to the defamation claim was the inclusion of a source identified only as “Martin,” said to be a former IRA member, who alleged that such killings required the approval of both the political and military leadership of the IRA. When pressed on who held ultimate authority, “Martin” replied, “Gerry Adams. He gives the final say.”
Mr Adams categorically denied the claim, calling it a “grievous smear”. Giving evidence, he told the court he had “liked” Donaldson and was “shocked” by his murder.
“Personally, I think Denis Donaldson was a victim of the conflict. I don’t see any other way of describing it,” Mr Adams said.
The BBC denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the programme and article were examples of responsible journalism concerning a matter of significant public interest. It maintained the reports were the product of a careful investigation and were not presented as conclusive but rather as reportage of allegations.
Despite the BBC’s defence, the court found in favour of Mr Adams. His legal team had sought a minimum of €200,000 (£168,000) in damages. Following the judgement, it was confirmed that Mr Adams intends to donate the awarded sum to charitable causes.
The ruling marks a significant legal victory for the former Sinn Féin president, bringing closure to a case centred on journalistic responsibility and the boundaries of public interest reporting.
