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Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams won a defamation case against the BBC on Friday, with a Dublin High Court jury awarding him $114,000 (€100,000) in damages over a 2016 Spotlight program and online article that alleged he sanctioned the murder of British agent Denis Donaldson in 2006.

BBC News

RTE.ie

Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams won a defamation case against the BBC on Friday, with a Dublin High Court jury awarding him $114,000 (€100,000) in damages over a 2016 Spotlight program and online article that alleged he sanctioned the murder of British agent Denis Donaldson in 2006.

The 11-person jury deliberated for nearly seven hours before finding that the BBC's reporting was not in good faith and that the broadcaster had not acted in a fair and reasonable way when publishing the allegations against Adams.</span

The Irish Times

The Times

The 11-person jury deliberated for nearly seven hours before finding that the BBC's reporting was not in good faith and that the broadcaster had not acted in a fair and reasonable way when publishing the allegations against Adams.

Denis Donaldson, a former key figure in Sinn Féin, was murdered in 2006 after being exposed as a police and MI5 informant who had worked within Sinn Féin for 20 years, with the Real IRA claiming responsibility for the killing. Adams was the president of Sinn Féin between 1983 and 2018.

BreakingNews.ie

Encyclopedia Britannica

Denis Donaldson, a former key figure in Sinn Féin, was murdered in 2006 after being exposed as a police and MI5 informant who had worked within Sinn Féin for 20 years, with the Real IRA claiming responsibility for the killing. Adams was the president of Sinn Féin between 1983 and 2018.

The BBC defended its journalism as careful and diligent, arguing the case was of highest public interest, but the jury rejected their defense that the publication was fair, reasonable and in the public interest.</span

The BBC defended its journalism as careful and diligent, arguing the case was of highest public interest, but the jury rejected their defense that the publication was fair, reasonable and in the public interest.

The legal costs for the case have been reported between $3.4 to $5.7 million (€3 to €5 million), making it one of the most expensive cases the BBC has ever fought, with the corporation confirming it has insurance and financial provisions for such legal claims.

The legal costs for the case have been reported between $3.4 to $5.7 million (€3 to €5 million), making it one of the most expensive cases the BBC has ever fought, with the corporation confirming it has insurance and financial provisions for such legal claims.

The Donaldson family has called for a public inquiry into the murder, stating they have been "'stonewalled" during the libel case, with Jane Donaldson criticizing the court for not allowing her to testify.

The Donaldson family has called for a public inquiry into the murder, stating they have been "'stonewalled" during the libel case, with Jane Donaldson criticizing the court for not allowing her to testify.

Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams won a defamation case against the BBC, with a Dublin High Court jury awarding him $114,000 (€100,000) in damages over a 2016 Spotlight program and online article that alleged he sanctioned the murder of British agent Denis Donaldson in 2006.

BBC News #

RTE.ie #

Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams won a defamation case against the BBC, with a Dublin High Court jury awarding him $114,000 (€100,000) in damages over a 2016 Spotlight program and online article that alleged he sanctioned the murder of British agent Denis Donaldson in 2006.

The Irish Times #

The Times #

BreakingNews.ie #

Encyclopedia Britannica #

The legal costs for the case have been reported between $3.4-5.7 million (€3-5 million), making it one of the most expensive cases the BBC has ever fought, with the corporation confirming it has insurance and financial provisions for such legal claims.

The legal costs for the case have been reported between $3.4-5.7 million (€3-5 million), making it one of the most expensive cases the BBC has ever fought, with the corporation confirming it has insurance and financial provisions for such legal claims.

The Donaldson family have called for a public inquiry into the murder, stating they have been "'stonewalled" during the libel case, with Jane Donaldson criticizing the court for not allowing her to testify.

The Donaldson family have called for a public inquiry into the murder, stating they have been "'stonewalled" during the libel case, with Jane Donaldson criticizing the court for not allowing her to testify.

The BBC's reporting was based on careful editorial processes and journalistic diligence, with the story being of the highest public interest. The implications of this verdict are profound and could hinder freedom of expression, making it nearly impossible for media organizations to report on sensitive matters of public concern under existing Irish defamation law.

The BBC's reporting was based on careful editorial processes and journalistic diligence, with the story being of the highest public interest. The implications of this verdict are profound and could hinder freedom of expression, making it nearly impossible for media organizations to report on sensitive matters of public concern under existing Irish defamation law.

Gerry Adams awarded 100,000 after jury finds he was defamed by BBC broadcast and article

Adams awarded 100,000 in damages in BBC defamation case

The BBC upholds the ethos of the British state in Ireland and remains out of sync with the Good Friday Agreement. The false allegations remained online for nine years, undermining the high standards of accuracy expected from the BBC, and the case could have been resolved much earlier if not for apparent political interference.

The BBC upholds the ethos of the British state in Ireland and remains out of sync with the Good Friday Agreement. The false allegations remained online for nine years, undermining the high standards of accuracy expected from the BBC, and the case could have been resolved much earlier if not for apparent political interference.

Gerry Adams: Ex-Sinn Fin leader awarded 100k in BBC libel case

The Irish News

The Irish News #

Gerry Adams alleges direct political interference at BBC over Spotlight case

Adams Wins $114,000 in BBC Defamation Case Over Murder Claim

Adams Wins $114,000 in BBC Defamation Case Over Murder Claim

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Adams's victory against the BBC is a win for truth and accountability. For too long, parts of the media and political class have felt free to distort the legacy of Irish Republicans. This ruling sends a clear message: history can’t be rewritten with lies. The jury got it right—fairness and facts still matter.

Adams's victory against the BBC is a win for truth and accountability. For too long, parts of the media and political class have felt free to distort the legacy of Irish Republicans. This ruling sends a clear message: history can’t be rewritten with lies. The jury got it right—fairness and facts still matter.

mattcarthy

Republican

Adams defends reputation against BBC smear

The jury’s ruling in favor of Gerry Adams is deeply troubling. The BBC acted with journalistic care on a matter of clear public interest. This verdict threatens press freedom and emboldens efforts to rewrite history. Crucially, Adams still faces a separate court case in London next year, brought by victims of IRA bombings who continue to seek justice and the truth.

The jury’s ruling in favor of Gerry Adams is deeply troubling. The BBC acted with journalistic care on a matter of clear public interest. This verdict threatens press freedom and emboldens efforts to rewrite history. Crucially, Adams still faces a separate court case in London next year, brought by victims of IRA bombings who continue to seek justice and the truth.

Adams Wins $114,000 in BBC Defamation Case Over Murder Claim

Adams Wins $114,000 in BBC Defamation Case Over Murder Claim

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Adams Wins $114,000 in BBC Defamation Case Over Murder Claim

Adams Wins $114,000 in BBC Defamation Case Over Murder Claim

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