I was pleased to hear just now that Gerry Adams won his defamation case against the BBC, which claimed that he had sanctioned the killing of Denis Donaldson. For decade after decade, the media in Ireland north and south could and did say whatever they wanted about Sinn Féin, safe in the knowledge that the Shinners hadn’t a chance of taking them to court. Alas, chaps, the winds of change have blown. Like everyone else, Sinn Féin can respond to defamation by taking people to court and sueing them.
But maybe the fightback of officialdom has already begun. I’ve been hearing repeatedly by some interested parties that, by threatening to take a case to court, the Shinners were introducing a chill factor: that is, journalists and commentators would have to be very careful about what they wrote. And so those nasty republicans would be suppressing the truthk, because journalists would be fearful they’d be sued.
EH???????
Is that not what the law is for – to stop people saying whatever they want about you? And was there ever a case which showed an attempt to make the perpetrator of the crime the victim? Oh dear, I’ve written a dodgy article about a Sinn Féin person, and now the rotter IS THREATENING TO SUE ME! How unfair. How unjust. We’ve been gagged.
No, lads, you haven’t been gagged. The law has found a way of muzzling you that stops you exercising your poison pens with such gleeful abandon.
Comhghairdeachas, Gerry. Maith an fear.
Very good Jude free Palestine
Thank you, James…Ditto
I am glad Gerry won his case too. Did you see who the BBC called as “witnesses”? Just people with personal and political grudges. Apart from
Ms. Travers God bless her, the others were called to say they thought he was a bad man. No legal argument worth talking about.
It is hardly surprising that Gerry Adams won his case in front of a Dublin jury beguiled with his misty-eyed grandfather routine sprinkled with some populist Brit-bashing. The bigger concern should be for the victims and survivors of Provo murder and mayhem – 60% of those killed during the conflict were killed by republicans. Yes it is true that British agents helped keep Mr Adams alive when he became the most important dove within the republican movement and Mr Adams deserves credit for bringing republicans to the table. The families of all victims and survivors of republicans, loyalists and the state deserve at least a semblance of truth. These are important questions for those genuinely interested in uniting the peoples of Ireland.
Thanks for your thoughts, K. Btw,how do you know the bit about British agents keeping Gerry alive? And one last thing: are you a pacifist? Just askin’, like…
When kids threw stones at me in the 1970s, in Derry, because I was wearing an Ebrington Primary School tie, I picked them up and threw them back. When I crossed the bridge I automatically removed my tie. I went to school with kids whose families had fled the Cityside. One of my best friends saw his dad shot dead by the Provos on his doorstep. As a child I was filled with rage. Over time I realised that violence is counter-productive. I grew to admire John Hume who had a respect for all the people of Derry. If Hume was alive today he would not post day-and-daily the same repetitive material that basically seeks to demonise the Brits and the Proddies. He was not a partitionist. He was a true man of peace.
‘Blessed be the peacemakers.’
I agree with K as far as the late John Hume is concerned. He was a truly decent man. The conflict took a hold of everybody to a greater or lesser extent. By and large we supported our own side. Everyone except the SDLP supported political violence. The unionists and Alliance were fully behind the RUC, UDR, British military. Republicans obviously supported the IRA. Thankfully that is in the past. As for the BBC, they can’t go around spouting nonsense and expect to get away with it.