IRA Victims' Families Demand Met Police Inquiry into Gerry Adams After Case Collapse
In a powerful move, three relatives of individuals killed by IRA bombings have written to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, urging a new investigation into Gerry Adams. This follows the dramatic and sudden withdrawal of a civil case against the former Sinn Féin leader last month, which left families devastated and seeking justice.
Formal Request for Review of New Evidence
The letter, sent under the headline "Subject: Request for review of evidence aired in the civil proceedings against Gerry Adams in the High Court in London," calls for the Met Police to treat it as a formal request. The families have asked that it be referred without delay to senior investigating officers and counter-terrorism specialists. They emphasize that new information disclosed during the trial should be examined thoroughly, alongside existing intelligence and evidential records.
The signatories include Ihsan Bashir, brother of Inam Bashir who died in the Docklands bombing; Sarah Butt, sister-in-law of Paul Butt killed in the Baltic Exchange bombing; and Susan Dodd, daughter of Inspector Stephen Dodd, a victim of the 1983 Harrods bomb. These families have endured decades of pain, and they insist that the memories of their loved ones must not be forgotten.
Details of the Civil Case and Its Aftermath
The civil case against Gerry Adams began on 9 March 2026 but was withdrawn during the trial after a controversial legal decision related to an "abuse of process" argument. Anne Studd KC, representing the victims, stated that the proceedings were "discontinued" with "no order as to costs." The victims had alleged that Adams, now 77, was personally liable for injuries sustained in IRA attacks in London and Manchester in 1973 and 1996, though Adams has consistently denied any role in the explosions or being a "major player" in the IRA.
Despite the case not resulting in a final judgment, Sarah Butt and Susan Dodd, who attended the trial at the Royal Courts of Justice, argue that evidence heard in open court raised serious questions about Adams's claimed involvement only with Sinn Féin and not the IRA. They highlight compelling testimony from witnesses such as Mr Shane O'Doherty and other experts, which they believe warrants a criminal review.
Call for Justice and Police Action
The families are not asking the police to prejudge guilt but rather to review the evidence aired in court properly. They stress that after so many years, the relatives of those killed in the Docklands, Baltic Exchange, and Harrods bombings should not feel that serious evidence can be presented in the High Court without any criminal authority examining whether further action is justified. The letter underscores that it took four years of painstaking work by victims Jonathan Ganesh, John Clarke, and Barry Laycock to bring the civil action, and the lack of government support only emphasizes the need for police scrutiny.
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has already acknowledged receipt of the request and indicated he will reply shortly. This development comes as a renewed push for accountability, with families hoping that the Met Police will initiate a full inquiry into Adams's links with the IRA, ensuring that justice is pursued through proper channels.
