Gerry Adams has won €100,000 in damages over a BBC story about the murder of a British agent.

The former Sinn Féin president was allegedly defamed in a BBC Northern Ireland spotlight programme that was broadcast in 2016, and an accompanying article.

Journalist Amanda Ferguson told The Hard Shoulder that anonymous sources had indicated to the BBC that Mr Adams had sanctioned the murder of British agent Dennis Donaldson.

“That was presented in a TV programme and also published online,” she said.

“The BBC argued that the words were allegations, but Mr Adams argued that they were presented as fact."

The BBC said it was disappointed with the outcome of the libel case, as the information had come from multiple sources and “their journalism was of the highest standard”, said Ms Ferguson.

Director of BBC Northern Ireland, Adam Smyth (centre) outside the High Court in Dublin, after former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams was awarded 100,000 euro in damages after winning his libel action against the BBC. Image: Brian Lawless / Alamy. 30/05/2025.

“However, they said that they will take time to consider the judgement,” she said.

“But they did raise the issue that if this case couldn’t be won in the Irish courts, what case could, and that it may have implications for freedom of expression and other journalism.

“Mr Adams made a statement outside court as well, where he said that essentially, he was very mindful of the Donaldson family and that the case had been taken to, as he put it, put manners on the British Broadcasting Corporation.

“He went on to indicate that he didn’t feel that the BBC was in harmony with the Good Friday Agreement in the sort of peace years.”

Damages

The outcome came after five weeks of evidence given to the court, with 10 witnesses called to testify over the duration of the trial.

While Mr Adams’ lawyers were seeking damaged of up to €200,000, he was awarded €100,000 in the final verdict.

According to Ms Ferguson, legal costs are expected to have been between three and five million euros.

Main image: Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams outside the High Court in Dublin, after he was awarded 100,000 euro in damages after winning his libel action against the BBC. Image: Brian Lawless / Alamy. 30/05/2025.