Victims of IRA bombings discontinue damages claim against Gerry Adams

Three victims of Provisional IRA bombings in England have withdrawn their damages claim against former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, their legal team has told the High Court.

Adams was being sued for £1 in damages by three men injured in the blasts in the 1970s and 1990s.

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, all alleged that Mr Adams was a leading member of the Provisional IRA on those dates, including of its Army Council.

Adams denied the allegations and was defending the claim, telling the court earlier this week that he had 'no involvement whatsoever' in the bombings and was never a member of the Provisional IRA.

On Friday, the last day of the two-week trial, Anne Studd KC, for the victims, told the High Court that the claim would be discontinued with 'no order as to costs' after 'proceedings developed overnight.'

Judge Jonathan Swift said: 'The claim is discontinued and there is no order for costs.'

He later added: 'A lot of work has gone in [to the case] and I appreciate that.' 

Mr Adams was not in court on Friday.

It is understood the decision to withdraw the claim centres on the claimants’ fears that they could be liable to pay Adams’ legal costs should they lose the case.

A cost protection order imposed earlier in the four years of legal action – which protected them from paying Adams’ cost, whatever the result – was at risk, the court heard, if Judge Swift found the claim to be an abuse of process.

In a statement, 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.'

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 Fein team which worked closely with me.'

In written submissions for the trial, Ms Studd said that the three men claimed that none of the bombings 'took place without the knowledge and agreement' of Adams in his role in the Provisional IRA and of its seven-man Army Council.

In his evidence, Adams said that opponents of Sinn Fein, of which he was president from 1983 to 2018, 'have repeatedly sought to conflate' the party with the Provisional IRA, and stressed that they are 'separate organisations.'

He continued that he had 'no involvement in or advance knowledge of' any of the bombings, and was 'never a member of the IRA or its Army Council'. 

Edward Craven KC, for Adams, told the court in his closing submissions that evidence that Adams was involved in the bombings was 'extremely limited and we say bordering on non-existent.'

He also said the claims had been brought years too late.  

In their evidence, the three men said the reasons they did not bring claims earlier were that they did not realise they could do so, could not afford it, were suffering from mental or physical injuries and feared violent reprisals.