Former Intelligence Officer Claims Gerry Adams Was on IRA Army Council
A former British Army colonel and intelligence officer during the Troubles has alleged that Gerry Adams was a member of the IRA's ruling army council when it authorized bomb attacks in Great Britain.
Three victims of IRA bombings are seeking a legal ruling that Adams is personally liable for decisions to plant car bombs in London and Manchester in 1973 and 1996.
In a witness statement, Richard Kemp stated he was "privy" to detailed intelligence regarding Adams' historic and ongoing involvement with the IRA.
Adams has consistently denied any involvement in these attacks and has rejected claims that he was ever a member of the IRA or sat on its ruling army council.
On Wednesday, the court heard that Kemp served as an intelligence officer between 1992 and 1994, and again from 2002 until 2005, completing 30 years in the Army.
Kemp's witness statement asserts that intelligence identified Adams as a member of the IRA army council and noted his attendance at council meetings.
The statement further explained that Kemp understood any bomb attacks in Great Britain, including the London Docklands and Manchester bombings, would have required approval from the army council.
Kemp added that it was "inconceivable" Adams would not have been involved in authorizing the bombings.
Evidence 'Neither Political Nor Personal'
During cross-examination by Adams' barrister James Robottom, Kemp was challenged on having "no direct evidence" of Adams' involvement.
Kemp responded that he believed Sinn Féin and the IRA had "worked hand in glove."
When questioned about whether his interest in the case was political due to his vocal support for veterans, Kemp stated:
"The evidence I'm giving is neither political nor personal, it's simply the facts as I understood them at the time."
Kemp served seven tours in Northern Ireland between 1979 and 2001.
He told the court that if the intelligence he received had been incorrect, it would not have been maintained.
"Generally speaking if you have reason to believe the intelligence is not accurate then it's withdrawn."
He added that he could not recall any instance where intelligence or evidence about Adams had been withdrawn.
'Only Concerned About Truth'
Earlier, a former IRA bomber who gave evidence denied holding "personal animosity" towards Adams.
Shane Paul O'Doherty, an author and blogger who served 14 years in prison for a letter bomb campaign in London in the 1970s, was questioned about his long-running blog, which has published 145 pieces about Adams.
It was suggested that his blog was a "campaign" against Adams and that he was "extremely hostile" towards him and Sinn Féin.
O'Doherty denied these claims, stating he had never received a "single complaint" about the accuracy of his writings.
He emphasized that he had no personal dislike of Adams and was "only concerned" with the truth.
"I don't have any personal animosity towards him as a person, I pray for his repentance pretty regularly."
O'Doherty also confirmed he had never met Adams, never spoken to him, and never attended any meeting Adams was present at.
Under cross-examination, he said Tuesday was the first time in his life he had been in the same room as Adams.
'It's About Accountability'
Adams is being sued for "vindicatory" damages of £1 each by John Clark, Jonathan Ganesh, and Barry Laycock, who were injured in the Old Bailey attack in 1973 and the London Docklands and Manchester bombings in 1996, respectively.
The court has heard allegations that Adams is as "culpable" for the attacks as those who planted and detonated the bombs.
Adams' legal team has described the case as relying on "an assortment of hearsay evidence" and criticized the timing of the lawsuit, which is being brought several decades after the attacks.
