Mary Lou McDonald says she believes Gerry Adams was never a member of the IRA
McDonald's comments come as the High Court in Britain ruled this month that Gerry Adams will appear in court in 2026 in a civil case brought by bomb victims of the paramilitary group
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she believes Gerry Adams when he claims he was never a member of the IRA.
It comes as the High Court in Britain ruled this month her predecessor will appear in court in 2026 in a civil case brought by bomb victims of the paramilitary group.
The action is being brought by John Clark, who was hurt in the Old Bailey attack in 1973, and Jonathan Ganesh and Barry Laycock, who were injured in the 1996 blast at London’s Docklands and Manchester’s Arndale Shopping Centre.
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They claim Mr Adams was “directly responsible” for some decisions taken by the Provos. He has always denied that he was ever a member of the IRA.
Asked if she believed him, Ms McDonald replied: “I think this is one of the most long-running questions and it’s been put to Gerry, never mind me, time and time and time again.
“I take the very simple view – Gerry Adams is the best person to answer for Gerry Adams. Do I believe what he says? Yes, I do. Gerry Adams speaks for Gerry Adams.
“On the wider issue of Sinn Féin, the IRA, the conflict and it being spoken about or a focus on it, the reality is there will always be a focus on the past because it happened and because there were consequences for it. I have no difficulty. I’m never uncomfortable about that. I actually think it’s really important that we acknowledge the past, that we remember the past.
“We shouldn’t run away from it or look away from it. We have to be real. But where I do draw the line is the notion of the conflict in the past, meaning that we somehow try and stymie the future. I operate now. I’m the leader of the party now. My fundamental responsibility is to build out the future.”
Mr Adams features as one of the main characters in the Disney+ drama Say Nothing. The nine-part series is based on Patrick Radden Keefe’s book of the same name and focuses on the conflict in the North and Jean McConville’s kidnap and murder. The show portrays Mr Adams as one of the IRA’s main organisers.
A disclaimer at the end of each episode reads: “Gerry Adams has always denied being a member of the IRA or participating in any IRA-related violence.”
Ms McDonald said she has not seen the series as she has not “had a chance”. She added: “It got kind of mixed reviews, including from some people depicted in the series, from the families. I heard that and there was a bit of unease about it even being made in the first place but I haven’t seen it.”
Marian Price, who was jailed for her part in the bombing of the Old Bailey, is suing Disney after the show depicted her as being involved in the killing of mother-of-10 Mrs McConville.
Her solicitor Peter Corrigan said: “It is difficult to envisage a more egregious allegation than the one to which has been levelled against our client. As someone who has been involved at every level of the related Boston College criminal proceedings, it is clear that the instant allegation is not based on a single iota of evidence.
“Such allegations published on an international scale are not only unjustified, but they are odious insofar as they seek to cause our client immeasurable harm in exchange for greater streaming success.”
Ms McConville’s family has also criticised the show, with her son Michael branding it “horrendous” and “cruel”, arguing his mother’s death is “not entertainment”.
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