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Gerry Adams has successfully won €100,000 (£84,000) in damages due to a BBC story about the murder of a British agent. In 2016, a BBC NI Spotlight program and an accompanying online article defamed the former Sinn Féin leader by alleging his involvement in the 2006 murder of Denis Donaldson, which Mr. Adams has vehemently denied. The 11-person jury deliberated for over six hours at Dublin’s High Court before reaching their decision.
During the four-week trial at the High Court in Dublin, evidence was presented by 10 witnesses, including Mr. Adams and BBC NI reporter Jennifer O’Leary. The jury had five questions to answer, confirming that the program implied Mr. Adams sanctioned Donaldson’s murder and that the BBC did not report the allegations in good faith. The €100,000 in damages awarded to Adams represented the outcome of the fifth question posed to the jury.
Following the verdict, Mr. Adams stated that the case was an attempt to hold the British Broadcasting Corporation accountable. He criticized the BBC for not aligning with the ethos of the Good Friday Agreement and called for unity, peace, and justice in Ireland. Meanwhile, Adams shared his appreciation for the court and expressed his thoughts for the Donaldson family during the trial, emphasizing the need to address legacy issues.
Adams’ solicitor, Paul Tweed, denounced the false allegations against his client as defamatory and expressed satisfaction with the verdict and damages. He highlighted the damaging impact of the accusations remaining online for nine years, questioning potential political or external pressures influencing the BBC’s stance. The BBC’s defense of fair and reasonable reporting on a matter of public interest was countered by the court’s ruling in favor of Adams, leading to disappointment from BBC NI director Adam Smyth
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