Speaking in Belfast on Friday, Gerry Adams said he was pleased the case against him had been withdrawn and described proceedings as verging on a 'show trial'. During a London civil case seeking £1 in vindicatory damages, lawyers for the men argued Adams was a senior IRA figure, despite decades of denials. Adams said throughout that he had never been an IRA member and had nothing to do with the three bombings. The case on Friday came to a sudden and surprising end after Anne Studd, barrister for the claimants, sought a 90-minute adjournment until noon. The fair trial we sought – getting Mr Adams into the dock for the first time – was achieved.

Source: The Irish Times March 21, 2026 10:33 UTC