Gerry Adams ordered to pay costs to BBC for pre-trial hearings

A High Court judge has ordered Gerry Adams to pay the legal costs incurred by the BBC in two pre-trial motions relating to his defamation action against the broadcaster. The case concerns the BBC's 2016 Spotlight programme and subsequent article reporting allegations that Mr Adams sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Féin official Denis Donaldson in County Donegal in 2006. Mr Adams denies involvement in the death and claims the allegations are false and defamatory. The BBC denies the defamation claim. Ms Justice Emily Egan dismissed Mr Adams' application to strike out sections of the BBC's defence and ruled that the broadcaster was entitled to discovery of certain documents relating to Mr Adams' alleged IRA membership and involvement with its army council. However, the judge rejected the BBC's application for discovery of materials relating to a 1987 press conference. Justice Egan stayed the costs order pending the outcome of the full defamation trial.