A civil court case against Gerry Adams has begun at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
Three victims of IRA bomb attacks have brought the case. The hearing is expected to last seven days and is being overseen by Mr Justice Swift.
Victims Bringing the Legal Action
The claimants include:
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John Clark, injured in the 1973 bombing near the Old Bailey.
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Jonathan Ganesh, injured in the 1996 bombing in Docklands.
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Barry Laycock, injured in the 1996 attack near Manchester Arndale.
The 1973 Old Bailey bombing injured more than 200 people and caused extensive damage after the explosive device was transported from Belfast to Liverpool by ferry.
Major IRA Attacks in Britain
More than two decades later, another major attack occurred in Docklands on 9 February 1996. The IRA bomb, hidden in a lorry, killed two people and injured many others.
Later that year, a powerful bomb exploded near Manchester Arndale shopping centre in June 1996. More than 200 people were injured in what authorities described as the largest bomb explosion in Britain since World War Two.
The Irish Republican Army carried out both attacks during the period known as the Troubles.
Evidence and Witnesses
Lawyers representing the victims say they will present testimony from several witnesses. These include former IRA members as well as retired police officers and soldiers.
Two witnesses will give evidence anonymously and will remain hidden from public view during the hearing.
Adams, who is 77, is expected to testify in court next week.
Gerry Adams Denies Involvement
Adams has denied any role in the attacks.
Writing in the Andersonstown News, he said he expects witnesses to claim he was responsible because of his political role during the conflict.
“I had no direct or indirect involvement in these explosions,” he stated. “I will challenge the unsubstantiated statements presented in this case.”
Legal Context of the Case
The claim was filed in 2022, shortly before new legislation restricted civil claims related to the Troubles. The legislation is currently under review.
The victims raised more than £100,000 through crowdfunding to support the legal action. They say the case represents not only their own experiences but also those of other victims of IRA violence.
The judge will decide liability based on the civil standard of proof, known as the balance of probabilities.
Background on Adams and the Troubles
The IRA was responsible for about 1,700 deaths during the Troubles. Adams previously faced a charge for IRA membership in 1978, but prosecutors dropped the case due to insufficient evidence.
His only convictions linked to the Troubles involved attempted prison escapes while he was detained without trial in the 1970s. Courts overturned those convictions in 2020.
Adams has previously answered questions about his alleged IRA connections during the Ballymurphy inquest and during a defamation case against the BBC.
