Gerry Adams appeared to be wearing a stab-proof vest as he arrived at the High Court in London on Monday, where he faces a civil damages claim from victims of IRA bombings. The former Sinn Fein president is accused of being a leading member of the Provisional IRA and complicit in decisions to detonate bombs in England in 1973 and 1996.
Three men—John Clark, a victim of the 1973 Old Bailey bombing; Jonathan Ganesh, a victim of the 1996 London Docklands bombing; and Barry Laycock, a victim of the 1996 Arndale Centre bombing in Manchester—are seeking £1 in damages each. They allege Adams was a member of the IRA's Army Council at the time of the attacks.
Adams denies any role in the Provisional IRA and is contesting the claim. He was driven into the Royal Courts of Justice car park, reportedly wearing a stab vest. Anne Studd KC, representing the claimants, told the court that a 'jigsaw' of evidence would show Adams was 'directly responsible for and complicit' in the bombings.
Studd argued that the distinction between being a member of the IRA and Sinn Fein was 'a distinction without a difference' for Adams. She stated that none of the bombings would have occurred without Adams's knowledge and agreement in his role on the Army Council.
Outside court, Adams said: 'I'm here to defend myself and to challenge the allegations being made against me. The only thing that I am guilty of is being an Irish republican committed to ending British rule in our country.' The trial continues.
