Gerry Adams says he had 'no involvement' in IRA bombings as he gives evidence in London court

"I was not involved in any way in the planning, preparation or conduct of any of the bombings, and have never been a senior, let alone most senior figure, in the IRA. I had no involvement in or advance knowledge of the Old Bailey bombing (1973), the Canary Wharf bombing (1996) or the Manchester bombing (1996)."

"I was never a member of the IRA or its Army Council, and I never held any role or rank within the IRA. I repeat that I had no involvement whatsoever in the authorisation, planning or conduct of the bombings in which the claimants were sadly injured."

"Membership of Sinn Féin does not equate to membership of the IRA. While he did not distance himself from the Provisional IRA, he was glad the organisation had left the stage and that there were dastardly things that were done that should never have been done."

Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams appeared in court to defend against a legal claim brought by three bombing victims from England. John Clark (1973 Old Bailey bombing), Jonathan Ganesh (1996 London Docklands bombing), and Barry Laycock (1996 Manchester Arndale bombing) allege Adams was a leading Provisional IRA member and Army Council member during these attacks, seeking £1 in damages. Adams denies the allegations, stating that Sinn Féin membership does not equate to IRA membership. In his 20-page witness statement, he claims he had no involvement in planning, preparation, or conducting any bombings, was never a senior IRA figure, and was never charged or convicted of bombing-related offences. He acknowledged the IRA has "left the stage" and expressed regret about "dastardly things" that occurred.

Read at Irish Independent