
Gerry Adams had reputation as ‘warmonger', victims' campaigner tells court
Mr Adams is suing the BBC over a claim made by a confidential source in a Spotlight documentary that alleged he had sanctioned the killing of a former Sinn Fein official who turned out to be an informant.
In the programme, an anonymous source claimed that the shooting of Denis Donaldson was sanctioned by the political and military leadership of the IRA and that Mr Adams 'gives the final say'.
He denies any involvement in the killing and has denied being in the IRA.
Ann Travers, an advocate with the victims' group the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), said Mr Adams had a reputation as someone 'very heavily involved with the murder of innocent people' and being a 'senior member of the IRA'.
Ms Travers explained to the jury at the High Court in Dublin that her sister Mary was killed by the Provisional IRA in an attack in which her father Tom Travers, who was a lawyer who became a magistrate in 1979, was also shot six times.
Mr Travers survived and returned to work years later.
Asked by Eoin McCullough SC, for the BBC, about the perception of the public of Mr Adams, Ms Travers said: 'His reputation would be one of having been a warmonger.'
Asked to explain the reason for this, she replied: 'For the Troubles, supporting the IRA and the murder of innocent people.'
Under cross-examination from Declan Doyle SC, for the plaintiff, Ms Travers said Mr Adams had 'cast a long and dark shadow' over her life since 1984.
She said: 'I would even have a fear of him.'
Ms Travers added that many people in Northern Ireland are still scared and afraid of what they can say in case they are threatened.
The witness said that whenever she criticises senior Sinn Fein figures, especially Mr Adams, she is attacked, trolled and threatened.
'I have had death threats about it,' she said.
Mr Doyle put to Ms Travers that Mr Adams' reputation was overwhelmingly of a peacemaker, to which she said she would disagree and said the first person she thinks of in that respect in Northern Ireland is John Hume.
Asked if Northern Ireland is now comparatively more peaceful, she said: 'Of course we should all be grateful we're not getting murdered any more.'
She added: 'Thank you to Mr Adams for people being able to go to work and the IRA not murdering people.'
Ms Travers acknowledged that Mr Adams 'was part of' peace efforts but said he was 'yet to do anything' for victims' groups such as the SEFF.
Mr Doyle said Mr Adams worked with the Relatives for Justice group.
Ms Travers accused Mr Adams of working with groups that were biased towards republicans.
She said: 'He doesn't do anything for people like me. In fact, he condones what happens to us – that is why his reputation is as such that he is a warmonger.'
Ms Travers added that it was 'a joke' when Mr Adams talks about being a peacemaker or denies being in the IRA.
She said that he had 'lied consistently' about being in the IRA.
Ms Travers added: 'I'm delighted that Mr Adams decided to turn away from the Armalite.'
The BBC also called Northern Ireland solicitor Trevor Ringland as a witness.
Mr Ringland is a former Ireland rugby international who was born to a police family in West Belfast in 1959.
He said his father had been shot by the IRA in North Belfast.
Mr Ringland said he worked with victims' groups in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Asked by Paul Gallagher SC, for the BBC, for the public's perception of Mr Adams, he replied: 'He is seen as a peace taker, not a peacemaker.'
Under cross-examination, Mr Doyle said the response was a soundbite and asked Mr Ringland if he made it up.
The witness replied that it was not a soundbite and added: 'I think the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland would regard him as a peace taker.'
Mr Ringland said people welcome that violence has stopped but it should not be the case that you thank somebody for stopping something they should not have been doing in the first place.
'It is sucking the grace out of our society,' he said.
Asked by Judge Alexander Owens if he believed someone's reputation can change, Mr Ringland said he did but added: 'I think Mr Adams' reputation has not improved.'
He said the former Sinn Fein president 'messes with people's minds', adding: 'His reputation is as someone who stepped away from the violent past and is now promoting his constitutional preference through other means.
'There is still hatred at the core of that reputation – he is not aiding reconciliation in Northern Ireland.'
Mr Doyle asked Mr Ringland if he had been the vice chairman of the Ulster Unionist Party East Belfast branch and had run as a candidate for the party in 2010.
He said this was right but that he had subsequently left the party in protest against the leader saying he would not attend a GAA match.
Asked if he then joined the 'all-inclusive Northern Ireland Conservative Party', Mr Ringland said he had and had later campaigned for a Labour politician.
He said: 'I would like to see politics based around social issues rather than politics based around waving a flag.'
The trial continues.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BreakingNews.ie
24 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
‘A chance to take a break': McEntee defends length of school summer holidays
The Education Minister has defended the length of schools' summer holidays, saying they offer people a chance to 'take a break'. Helen McEntee acknowledged that it was a challenge for parents in need of childcare, and any decision on changing the length of the school year would require a considered approach. Advertisement There has been some commentary in recent weeks that the length of the school holidays – three months for secondary schools and two months for primary – are out of date, as Ireland has some of the longest school breaks in Europe. Visiting a Clondalkin primary school on Thursday, where children were taking part in a summer programme for two weeks, Ms McEntee said: 'I'm here in a school where you have principals, teachers, SNAs, who are working and supporting children throughout the summer. Education Minister Helen McEntee at St Mary's Junior National School in Clondalkin, Dublin (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA) 'We've always had a particular time period for school holidays. 'What we find, particularly for our secondary schools, is that they're actually coming back earlier now, in August, so the Leaving Cert results will be out from the 22nd, some students are actually in that week and, in fact, the following week is when a lot of schools are coming back. Advertisement 'Our teachers work hard, our schools are very active throughout the year. I think the time that's taken throughout the summer gives everybody a chance to take a break.' The children at St Mary's Junior National School learn literacy and numerical skills, and how to bake, as part of the summer programme, which gives educational support to children, including those with special educational needs. They can also paint in the school's outdoor wooden classroom, called the sun room, which was funded by the Arts Council. Ms McEntee said 1,800 schools are taking part in the summer programme this year, including 80 special schools, a 16% increase on last year. Advertisement Helen McEntee (seated centre) acknowledged that it was a challenge for parents in need of childcare (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA) Asked if the activity of the summer programme suggested the summer break was too long, she said the programme initially began 'with a particular emphasis on special education'. 'For children with additional needs, to have that structure and to have that focus, is really, really important. 'And I think there was an acknowledgement that to have that extra support throughout the summer is something that would be hugely beneficial, not just for the students, but also for the parents. 'It's obviously since expanded, it's not just a focus on special schools or additional needs, it's a focus on our DEIS schools, making sure that where children – and it's not all children that access the programme – but if there is that need there to have that extra support, that structure throughout the summer, it's there. Advertisement 'It's also fun. 'I do acknowledge, I have to say, the challenges for parents when it comes to childcare, when it comes to the fact that in many households you have both parents working now full time, so the summer does pose challenges. 'But you know, I think any changes to summer breaks, any changes to holidays, that's something that would always have to be considered in engagement and consultation with schools, with teachers, with parents, with families overall.' Ms McEntee also announced a National Convention on Education, to inform a long-term strategy for primary and secondary education in Ireland. Advertisement Professor Anne Looney, who will chair the convention, said in a statement she was looking forward to being involved in ensuring 'we give our learners and those who work with them the best opportunities to flourish and succeed'.


BreakingNews.ie
24 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Garda (32) convicted of assaulting teenager in Temple Bar in 2021
A garda has been convicted of assaulting a teenager in Temple Bar four years ago following a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Lorcan Murphy (32) of Pearse Street Garda Station pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault causing harm under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. Advertisement The assaults on the then 17-year-old took place on Essex Street, Dublin 2 and Pearse Street Garda Station on June 1st, 2021. After four hours and 20 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned unanimous verdicts of guilty on both counts. There was complete silence in the court after the jury delivered its verdict. Judge Pauline Codd thanked the jurors for their service. She adjourned the matter for sentencing until November 3rd next, in order to prepare a probation report and a victim impact statement. She remanded Murphy on continuing bail. Advertisement The evidence 'I was assaulted, I was tripped up supposedly, I fractured my skull,' the complainant told the court, adding that he had no recollection of events. He said he'd been 'drinking that day' and had also been 'smoking weed'. He also said that he 'could have been' carrying alcohol. He went to meet his girlfriend in Temple Bar and said the last thing he remembered was walking past McDonald's on Grafton Street. He said 'waking up in James' Hospital' was the next thing he remembered. Someone in the hospital told him he was involved in an incident with the gardaí. Advertisement He said he ran out of the hospital as he 'freaked out' and thought nothing was wrong with him. He woke up with a pain in his head, then went to the Mater Hospital before being transferred to Beaumont Hospital, where he stayed for five days. He said he had headaches but has no issues with his memory. The complainant stated that he had spoken to Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) and provided them with two videos: one of himself on the ground, which someone else had recorded, and another of the garda approaching him, which he had taken himself. Advertisement He stated that he was not charged with any offences in relation to the events in Temple Bar that day. The complainant agreed during cross-examination that he had no recollection of the incident, due to a head injury, but accepted that alcohol and cannabis could have contributed to his lack of memory. Defence counsel asked the witness if he was someone who would obstruct the gardaí, and he said that 'sometimes if they came to me Ma's house'. When asked how he would obstruct the gardaí, the complainant said: 'Just resist arrest, but I wasn't resisting arrest this time'. Advertisement He accepted that he was interviewed by Gsoc, now Fiosru, but disagreed with a suggestion that he lied about his alcohol consumption. The jury heard that the complainant has 44 previous convictions, and 10 days after this alleged incident, he kicked and beat a person after they had withdrawn money from an ATM on O'Connell Street, then went through their pockets. The complainant stated that he is a person who is respectful to others in society and has not engaged in anti-social behaviour since he was 15. When it was put to him that beating people up and robbing them in public is not respectful, he replied, 'I'm paying for my mistakes'. Other evidence CCTV was shown to the court of two gardaí, one of whom was Mr Murphy, on Essex Street, along with CCTV from Pearse Street Garda Station. Darragh Fitzpatrick gave evidence that he had gone to Essex Street after hurling training to socialise with friends. Asked if he saw any interaction between gardaí and the complainant, he replied: 'He seemed out of it, he didn't seem to know what was going on.' Mr Fitzpatrick said he saw 'a bit of grabbing and handcuffs being placed on him [the complainant] and hearing something about a knife'. When he heard the word 'knife', he took a step back. He said he saw a garda, identified as Mr Murphy, 'spear tackle' the complainant. Mr Fitzpatrick described the complainant going 'limp and lifeless', adding that he was 'frozen' and was 'initially very shocked'. Defence counsel put to Mr Fitzpatrick that when he heard the word 'knife', he had the benefit of retreating. He replied, 'I think I stood my ground,' but acknowledged that he may have taken a step back. Aileen Fitzmaurice's evidence was that she could not hear what was said between the gardaí and the complainant, but thought there was an 'aggressive demeanour'. She said everything happened quite quickly; the complainant ended up face down on the ground. He was restrained by the gardaí, and she then heard shouting, 'Where is the knife?' The gardaí first lifted the complainant to his feet, and then she described, 'It was like they flipped him in a sudden manner and bashed his head off the ground.' She also described hearing a loud sound. Under cross-examination, she confirmed she heard 'where is the knife' said repeatedly, but she could not remember the exact sequence of events. Eoghan Hickey's evidence was that he heard one of the gardaí saying 'drop the knife' repeatedly. He described the complainant as being 'limp' when he was brought to the garda van. He agreed with defence counsel during cross-examination that he heard gardaí shouting 'where is the knife' while the complainant was upright. Dr Haroon Khan gave evidence of being called to Pearse Street Garda Station. He said he noted the complainant was intoxicated, tried to rouse him, but did not speak to him before having him transferred to the hospital. Consultant neurosurgeon Mr John Caird gave evidence that the complainant had a fracture to the skull and a contusion to the brain and has made an excellent recovery. The defence case Two statements from Mr Murphy were read to the jury. He went to assist a colleague, who was dealing with the complainant. He instructed the complainant to remove his hands from his pockets, then noted the young male tense up. He stated that the complainant was again asked to remove his hands from his pockets, but he did not comply. Mr Murphy said the complainant produced a glass bottle in such a way that he believed he was at risk of being struck with the bottle, which was then pushed out of the complainant's hand. The complainant was informed that he was being placed under arrest. He was placed on the ground, and another garda placed one handcuff on him. The complainant's second hand was under him, and he was resisting arrest. Mr Murphy said he managed to take hold of the complainant's second hand, and he was handcuffed. He said that the complainant was spitting towards him. Mr Murphy stood up and took the complainant to his feet. He told a crowd which had gathered to get back, but they didn't. Mr Murphy said he felt unsafe both for himself and the arrested complainant. He said he had his hand on the complainant's back and felt him shift his weight, and Mr Murphy then performed a leg sweep. The side of the complainant's body and head made contact with the ground. Mr Murphy checked him visually and said that at no stage was he unconscious. He requested prisoner transport and that a doctor be called to Pearse Street Garda Station. Closing speeches Prosecuting counsel John Gallagher BL told the jury the prosecution's case is that excessive force was used in the leg sweep, which resulted in the complainant's head impacting the ground. He submitted that the level of force used to bring the complainant to the ground after his initial arrest was not reasonable, inherently dangerous and likely to cause injury to the complainant. World Keith Byrne jailed for 15 years for murder of Kirs... Read More He said the prosecution also says that pulling the complainant's head using his hair in Pearse Street Garda Station, then applying force to his chest, is also an assault, which caused harm in the form of immediate pain. Justin McQuade BL, defending, told jurors that the law requires them 'to stand in the shoes of Garda Murphy and view the situation that unfolded through the circumstances he believed them to be'. He said the force used was a leg sweep, and it was an 'unfortunate secondary impact' when the complainant hit his head on the ground, adding that his client 'did not have the luxury of picking a softer landing point'. Mr McQuade suggested that if gardaí are going to be criminalised for using force, they may be slower to use it in the future and that benefits no one.


BBC News
24 minutes ago
- BBC News
Kneecap: Belfast rap trio banned from Hungary for three years
The west Belfast rap group Kneecap have been banned from Hungary for three years, its state secretary for International Communication has a statement on social media, Zoltan Kovacs said the band members "repeatedly engage in anti-Semitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups".The band was supposed to perform at the Sziget Festival, in Budapest, in have previously said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah. Kovacs also said: "Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form.""Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years.""If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms," he rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who is known as Mo Chara, appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for was released on unconditional bail and in a statement, posted on social media in May, Kneecap said: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves." Other gigs Avon and Somerset Police launched a criminal investigation into comments made on stage by the band after their performance at Glastonbury in June, but decided no further action would be question over whether Kneecap should even perform at Glastonbury drew comment over the weeks before the festival, with the prime minister stepping in to say he did not think it was "appropriate".The band said they were axed from the TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow over police concerns about had faced weeks of controversy over their pro-Palestinian stance, with Sharon Osbourne calling for their US visas to be revoked over messages they displayed on stage at Coachella. Who are Kneecap? Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and group was formed in 2017 by three musicians who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February April, the group faced criticism after displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival November 2024, the group won its case against the UK government over a decision Kemi Badenoch took when she was a minister to withdraw an arts grant.