Adams Denies IRA Role in London Trial

0:00On March 17th, Gary Adams testified in a London civil trial today, denying any role in the Irish Republican Army, or approving bombings on British, soil. Three survivors are suing him for £1 and vindicatory damages over attacks in 1973 at the Old Bailey, and two in 19. 96 at Docklands in Manchester's Arndale Center, they claim he held a top command position in the IRA. Adams insists he was never an IRA member or on his Army Council, and that his political work with Sin Fenae was separate from any armed group. He explained meetings with IRA figures, or British officials, came from his Sin Fane role alone. Earlier this week, he arrived at the High Court on St. Patrick's Day, greeting the judge accordingly. Outside the World Courts of Justice, supporters waived Irish flags while Army veterans closely followed the case. Adams expressed sympathy for the victim's suffering, calling their experiences awful, though he denies any personal involvement.

1:01He said he's glad pieces come, but didn't fully distance himself from the IRA, noting some actions were wrong. During questioning by its top lawyer, Adams struggled to explain why he wasn't calling witnesses, like his former assistant, who was in court, to back. His claims, he also rejected suggestions that wearing a black beret at an IRA funeral proved membership, calling it an honor and a Republican guard. The trial, packed with observers, presses on as both sides present more evidence in this long-running dispute.