Summary
Gerry Adams won €100,000 in damages from the BBC after a court ruled he was defamed by a 2016 BBC program and article. The court found that the BBC failed to report allegations in good faith, and an anonymous source incorrectly claimed that Adams sanctioned the 2006 murder of Denis Donaldson. The case cost the BBC between €3-5 million, making it one of their most expensive legal battles.
Key Facts
- Gerry Adams received €100,000 in damages from the BBC.
- The case involved a BBC program and article from 2016 about Denis Donaldson's murder.
- The court decided the BBC did not report the allegations against Adams in good faith.
- The legal fees for the case were between €3-5 million.
- The BBC argued they were providing fair and reasonable reporting on a matter of public interest.
- A jury of 11 people deliberated for nearly seven hours before deciding on the verdict.
- Gerry Adams was the leader of Sinn Féin from 1983 until 2018.
- The BBC Northern Ireland director expressed disappointment and defended their journalistic practices.
