Gerry Adams says the only thing he is guilty of is wanting to unite Ireland's people 'on the basis of peace' as court case against him under way
Gerry Adams has issued a statement following the first day of legal proceedings against him.
Sinn Fein issue the remarks to the press after the civil suit against him got under way in London led by three IRA survivors, who are suing him on the basis that he was a leading IRA commander at the time of the bombings they were caught up in (something which Mr Adams denies).
His statement tonight reads: “I'm here to defend myself and to challenge the allegations being made against me.
"We will let the court get on with its business.
"But I would like to say for the record and at the outset that the only thing that I am guilty of is being an Irish republican committed to ending British rule in our country and seeking to unite the people of Ireland on the basis of freedom, equality, peace and solidarity."
Mr Adams was president of Sinn Fein from 1983 to 2018, MP for West Belfast from 1997 to 2011, MLA for West Belfast from 1998 to 2010, and TD for Louth from 2011 to 2020.