Posted by Updated / Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025 12:25
A jury has been sworn in at a defamation case being brought by former Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams, against the BBC.
Mr Adams alleges he was defamed in a 2016 BBC Northern Ireland Spotlight programme, which he says falsely claimed that he sanctioned the killing of the former senior Sinn Féin official, Denis Donaldson.
Mr Donaldson, who was 55, was shot dead in a cottage near Glenties in Donegal in April 2006, months after he admitted he had been an informer for the police and M15 for a period spanning two decades.
Mr Adams has denied any involvement in the killing.
He is seeking damages alleging his reputation was damaged by the programme and by a subsequent online article.
The BBC has denied defamation.
This morning a 12-person jury was sworn in to hear the action.
Earlier, Mr Justice Alexander Owens said the case relates to what was broadcast by the BBC Spotlight current affairs programme on 20 September 2016 and a website article published the day after with the headline, ‘Gerry Adams Sanctioned Denis Donaldson’s Killing’.
Mr Justice Owens told the court that the trial is likely to last up to four weeks.
He also told the jurors not to engage in any of their own research into the case.
Mr Adams, 76, stepped down as leader of Sinn Féin in 2018, after 34 years in charge of the party.
Who Watches the Watchers? 