John McDermott

“The only thing that I am guilty of is being an Irish republican, believing in an end to British rule in our country” Speaking to the media yesterday outside the court in London.

This morning, Gregory Campbell MP and I watched proceedings from the Public Gallery at the High Court in London, sitting three rows behind Gerry Adams as the civil case involving him continued. This case has been brought by victims of IRA bombings John Clark, Barry Laycock and Jonathan Ganesh, who was seriously injured in the 1996 Docklands bombings. Given Northern Ireland’s experience of the Troubles, I believe that it is important that we stand alongside victims who suffered that same trauma across the United Kingdom. My party have met with Jonathan Ganesh on a number of occasions and we recognise the significance of this case. This is an important case. If our system establishes that Gerry Adams was in the IRA and that liability rests with him, then the implications will be seismic. For many victims of terrorism, justice has been delayed for decades. Their pursuit of truth and accountability must never be ignored.