Former IRA bomber tells court Gerry Adams was senior figure
Mar 11th 2026
A former IRA member told the high court that Gerry Adams was a senior figure in the organisation as three bombing victims sue him for symbolic damages while Adams denies the claims.
- Shane O'Doherty told a London high court that Gerry Adams was a senior IRA figure, citing a funeral photo and Adams' role in the oration.
- Three claimants injured in the 1973 Old Bailey bombing and the 1996 Docklands and Manchester bombings are suing Adams for symbolic damages of £1 each.
- Adams denies being a member of the IRA or sitting on its army council.
- O'Doherty said he had no first-hand knowledge linking Adams to the specific bombings but relied on second-hand accounts from people such as Martin McGuinness.
- O'Doherty received 30 life sentences in 1976 for a letter-bombing campaign, was released in 1989, and has since renounced the IRA and criticized Sinn Féin.
- The civil trial is ongoing.
Articles
- Former IRA bomber says Gerry Adams was senior figure in organisation www.theguardian.com