Gerry Adams, former Sinn Féin leader, has been awarded €100,000 (£84,000) in damages following a libel suit against the BBC. The case stemmed from a 2016 BBC NI Spotlight program and accompanying online article alleging Adams sanctioned the 2006 murder of British agent Denis Donaldson.
Adams, 76, vehemently denies any involvement. He framed the legal action as a means of holding the BBC accountable, stating his aim was “putting manners on the British Broadcasting Corporation.”
The BBC’s director for Northern Ireland, Adam Smyth, described the verdict’s implications as “profound,” highlighting his legal team’s concerns that the jury’s decision could “hinder freedom of expression.”
A four-week Dublin High Court trial featured testimony from ten witnesses, including Adams and BBC reporter Jennifer O’Leary. The jury concluded that the program and article implied Adams’ approval of Donaldson’s murder, finding the BBC had not acted in good faith.
After six hours and 49 minutes of deliberation, the jury awarded Adams €100,000 in damages. Adams expressed gratitude to the court while acknowledging the Donaldson family. He affirmed his support for journalistic integrity, but criticized the BBC’s perceived alignment with British state interests in Ireland, suggesting a disconnect from the Good Friday Agreement’s peace-building goals.
Adams’ solicitor, Paul Tweed, denounced the allegations as “totally untrue and defamatory,” criticizing the BBC’s inclusion of the claims and highlighting the nine-year online presence of the false allegation. He questioned potential political influence on the BBC’s stance.
The BBC, defending its reporting under the claim of fair and reasonable coverage of public interest, expressed disappointment. Smyth emphasized the corporation’s commitment to journalistic diligence and its decision to defend its reporting. He noted the substantial costs incurred, typical of such high-profile legal battles, which are covered by insurance and financial provisions.
Donaldson, a former key figure in Sinn Féin, was murdered in 2006 following revelations of his twenty-year-long work for the police and MI5. The Real IRA claimed responsibility in 2009. Adams, Sinn Féin president from 1983-2018, held various political positions, playing a significant role in the Good Friday Agreement negotiations. He consistently denied IRA membership.
Justice Alexander Owens disallowed testimony from several proposed defense witnesses, including Donaldson’s daughter, deeming their statements irrelevant to the jury’s considerations. The BBC’s legal costs are estimated at €3-5 million (£2.5-4.2m), making it one of the corporation’s most expensive legal cases. The case highlights ongoing changes to defamation laws in Ireland and Northern Ireland, particularly regarding jury trials.