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Gerry Adams, the former leader of Sinn Féin, has won his libel case against the BBC and been awarded €100,000 in damages by a court in Dublin.
Mr Adams sued the BBC over a 2016 programme and online report, in which an anonymous source alleged that he had sanctioned the murder of a British agent, Denis Donaldson. Mr Adams described the claim as “a grievous smear”.
The BBC had argued that the words were couched as allegations but Adams argued they were presented as fact.
Speaking outside court, Adams says the case could have been resolved a long time ago, adding he was “very mindful of the Donaldson family” throughout the trial.
The BBC said it was disappointed with the jury’s decision with its Northern Ireland director saying: “it was important that we defend our journalism and we stand by that decision”.
Gerry Adams was the president of Irish republican party Sinn Féin from 1983 until 2018. He has consistently denied being a member of the IRA.
Christian Fraser presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Chris Page.
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2025/05/30
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