Adams denies holding any rank or role within IRA

0:00Well, let's go to London now because Jerry Adams has been giving evidence in his civil trial at the high court there. The former Sinn Fein leader denies allegations that he was a member of the IRA and that he was directly responsible for the injuries suffered by the three men taking the case. Our Northern Editor Vincent Kerney is at the Royal Courts of Justice. Vincent Jerry Adams giving evidence today, what has he told the court so far? Indeed, Rachel Jerry Adams has arrived here for the sixth day of this trial to give evidence of smoothing his figure, Shamrock on his lapel, and before we see these began, he wished having some papaystay to the judge and to everyone else in the courtroom. And then his lawyer started to talk him through his witness statement and Jerry Adams threatening to deny the allegations against him. In that 20-page witness statement, he says that these allegations are untrue. As he would never remember of the IRA or his army council, a never-look commanding officer of the IRA's Belfast Brigade.

1:01He would only say that he had never held any rank or rule within the IRA. He'd never held a commanding and true rule as alleged by these three claimants in the case. And he said he'd never been a senior, let alone the most senior figure in the organisation. The statement Rachel was on to say he was not involved in any way in planning, preparation or conduct of any of these bombings. And so this was the claimant concerns. That's the attacks of Louis-Billy in 1973, and the current culinary war from Manchester City Center bombings in 1996. And the same goes on to say that he has no knowledge. Bjorn was being widely reported in the public domain as to the structure or the decision making processes of the IRA. He was then cross-examined Vincent by a lawyer for the complainants. What happened? That's right. Max Hill case is a former director of public prosecutions for England and Wales. He's one of the most preeminent barristers anywhere in the UK. So it was his job which was to say to cross-examined him. And Max Hill rehearse much of the evidence we've heard during this trial

2:03from our never witnesses who were called by the claimants. He suggested that the evidence clearly in the case of the gesture that Jerry Adams had very good knowledge of the workings of the IRA because he was a member of it, which Jerry Adams denied. Now at one point the former Shenving-Leader told Max Hill I will always give you a truthful answer. Max Hill later asked if Jerry Adams was referred to speak about his long involvement with the IRA. At that point Mr. Adams said, no, I can't talk about my long involvement in the IRA because I wasn't involved. It was then protrume later that over a long period of time he had chosen to stand by the IRA. But he replied that he was glad the IRA had left the stage, that no one else has been killed under his peace process. But he said he did not distance themselves from our IRA. However, he did that. I've been very clear. There were lots of these things that were done that should never have been done. Are you ready? Are you ready? And that evidence will continue this afternoon. We're just looking for a launch book. But Max Hill, Casey, will resume his questioning at two o'clock.

3:06Vincent, thank you very much. And my apologies for that rogue interruption. They're not sure where that came from. But what we're going to do now is take a quick break. We'll have more for you on the news at one in just a moment.