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Adams said he will continue a bid for compensation as a former Troubles detainee. Alamy Stock Photo

Gerry Adams says any compensation for internment during the Troubles will be donated to good causes

The former Sinn Fein leader said it was now ‘obvious’ the UK Government will not repeal the Legacy Act.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has said any compensation he receives as a former Troubles internee will be donated to “good causes”.

Adams has said he will continue to pursue a case against the UK Government even though he has “no personal interest in compensation for myself”.

UK political think tank Policy Exchange recently warned that removing a block on former Troubles internees seeking compensation would deliver a “taxpayer-funded pay day” for ex-detainees.

The think tank published a report criticising the Government’s proposed repeal of legislation that had put a stop to such civil claims.

The relevant sections of the Legacy Act had been agreed by Parliament in 2023 in response to a Supreme Court judgment in 2020 that paved the way for Adams to secure compensation over his internment without trial in the early 1970s.

Adams won his appeal to overturn historical convictions for two attempted prison breaks, after he was interned without trial in 1973 at Long Kesh internment camp, also known as Maze Prison, near Lisburn.

The Supreme Court ruled that his detention was unlawful because the interim custody order (ICO) used to initially detain him had not been “considered personally” by then secretary of state for Northern Ireland Willie Whitelaw.

At the time of the case, the previous government contended that the ICOs were lawful because of a long-standing convention, known as the Carltona principle, where officials and junior ministers routinely act in the name of the secretary of state.

Adams subsequently successfully challenged a decision to deny an application for compensation for his detention.

However, the Legacy Act stopped such payouts to Adams and other former internees.

The Act retrospectively validated the ICOs to make them lawful and halted civil claims related to the orders.

However, in February last year, the High Court in Belfast ruled that the provisions of the Act related to the ICOs were incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

The current Government has not appealed that judgment and has tabled a remedial order in Parliament that will repeal various parts of the Legacy Act, including the sections on ICOs.

However, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has since said he is looking at “every conceivable way” to stop former Troubles internees such as Gerry Adams from seeking compensation.

‘British colonial law’

In an article written for Tribune magazine, Mr Adams said it was now “obvious” the UK  Government would not get rid of the Legacy Act.

“The Act states that no one can take a civil action or continue with one already in place if the person bringing the action claims that their imprisonment occurred because an interim custody order was unlawfully signed,” Adams said.

“Most of the major parties on the island, along with the Irish government, victims’ groups and human rights organisations, have opposed the law.

“Many correctly saw it as an effort by the British government to protect its forces and agents and politicians.

“While in opposition, the British Labour Party committed to getting rid of the Legacy Act. It is obvious now they will not do this.”

Adams said Sir Keir’s stated intention to attempt to stop him gaining compensation “will come as no surprise to those in Ireland and in countless other states around the world who have experienced British colonial law”.

He added: “So I will continue to pursue this case. I have no personal interest in compensation for myself.

“If any comes to me at the end of this process, I will donate it to good causes.”

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15 Comments
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    Mute Tim Brennan
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    Tue 9:58 PM

    Do Sinn Fein intend to pay compensation to IRA victims

    111
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    Mute Pat Barry
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    Tue 10:13 PM

    @Tim Brennan: Catch yourself on will ya.

    59
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    Mute Róisín Flemping-Bunt-Himmler
    Favourite Róisín Flemping-Bunt-Himmler
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    Tue 10:24 PM

    @Tim Brennan: complimentary invites to the next kneecap gig in the post.

    32
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    Mute damien leen
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    Tue 10:40 PM

    @Tim Brennan: do the English army, loyalists intend paying compensation to all the Catholic victims, you know, for centuries!

    57
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    Mute Chutes Idiot
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    Tue 9:38 PM

    Seems reasonable……..’IF’ he gets a payoff, it’s all going to ‘good causes’. IF he’s legally entitled to compensation…… he’s entitled to it

    79
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    Mute Johnny Wilson
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    Tue 9:47 PM

    Good causes? Such as the groups that help the victims of Provo abuse, and the groups that help the families of those murdered by the Provos?

    89
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    Mute damien leen
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    Tue 9:53 PM

    @Johnny Wilson: Yup…those Provos just sprung up outta nowhere, for no reason and started killing people, strangest thing. Clown!

    127
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    Mute FoxyBoiiYT
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    Tue 10:31 PM

    Internment was been imprisoned without trial simply for being a Catholic. How would you react? Think before criticising others

    78
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    Mute qffaffaf affrafrfraf
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    Tue 9:51 PM

    no need to donate it Gerry, keep it for yourself and buy yourself something nice. You have earned it after fighting for this country for so long, we are all forever indebted to you and it’s a disgrace how you’ve been treated. In 50-100 years time we will have statues of you all over the country

    74
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    Mute Alan
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    Tue 10:21 PM

    @qffaffaf affrafrfraf: he didn’t fight for anything. Wasn’t in the ira . Apparently.

    62
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    Mute Dermot Blaine
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    Tue 10:33 PM

    @qffaffaf affrafrfraf:
    he’s a millionaire already, is Armani Gerry. I’m sure Bobby Sands would be delighted to know that’s what he died for.

    44
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    Mute damien leen
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    Tue 10:36 PM

    @Dermot Blaine: Yup…it’s just been one big barrell of laughs for old Gerry Adams.

    17
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    Mute Dan Murphy
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    Tue 9:47 PM

    Anyone interned by the British state should be paid millions. Filthy bar stewards

    72
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