Adams IRA Bombs: Kemp’s Court Claim 2026

Key Points

• Former British Army commander Colonel Richard Kemp testified at the High Court in London that it is “inconceivable” Gerry Adams, ex-Sinn Féin leader, was not involved in authorising Provisional IRA (PIRA) bombings in England, including the 1973 Old Bailey bomb, 1996 Docklands bomb, and 1996 Manchester bomb.
• Kemp based his claims on “a multitude of intelligence” over 20 years showing Adams’ IRA membership and Army Council role; he said such high-profile attacks required council sign-off.
• The civil claim for symbolic £1 damages each is brought by victims John Clark (1973 Old Bailey), Jonathan Ganesh (1996 Docklands), and Barry Laycock (1996 Manchester Arndale).
• Under cross-examination by James Robottom (Adams’ counsel), Kemp admitted no direct evidence linking Adams to the specific bombings and that intelligence could be unreliable or from political enemies.
• Kemp, who did seven tours in Northern Ireland (1979-2001, intelligence 1992-1994), described Sinn Féin and IRA as “two sides of the same organisation” and has been critical of investigations into British soldiers during the Troubles.
• Robottom noted Kemp had not previously written about Adams’ IRA membership but had strong views on Sinn Féin; Kemp could not recall if he had.
• Kemp addressed his 2017 tweet using “taigs” (derogatory for Catholics); as a Catholic himself, he said he did not realise it was an insult and never used it again.
• Adams denies all IRA membership and Army Council involvement; his lawyers argue no credible evidence.
• Trial presided by Mr Justice Swift at Royal Courts of Justice; seven-day hearing opened around 8-9 March 2026 for “vindicatory purposes”.
• Other witnesses include RUC Special Branch officer calling Adams “de facto leader” of IRA; intelligence from Army, MI5, RUC supports claims.
• DUP leader called potential ruling “seismic” for Adams’ legacy.

London (Britain Today News) March 11, 2026 – A former British Army commander has told the High Court it is “inconceivable” that Gerry Adams was not involved in the authorisation of IRA bombings in England, as three victims sue the ex-Sinn Féin leader for nominal damages.

Colonel Richard Kemp, who commanded British forces in Afghanistan and served seven tours in Northern Ireland, gave evidence on Wednesday in the civil claim brought by John Clark, Jonathan Ganesh, and Barry Laycock. The claimants allege Adams was an IRA member and on its Army Council, making him liable for the 1973 Old Bailey car bomb outside London’s Central Criminal Court, the 1996 Docklands truck bomb that ended a ceasefire, and the 1996 Manchester Arndale lorry bomb causing £1.5 billion damage.

Who is Richard Kemp and What Did He Claim?

In his written witness statement, as reported by the Guardian’s Henry McDonald, Kemp stated:

“In respect of the PIRA bomb attacks carried out in England that I understand these proceedings relate to (being the Old Bailey bomb in 1973 and the Docklands and Manchester bombings in 1996), they would have all required signoff from the army council. This very high-profile activity simply could not have been carried out without the council’s knowledge and approval. It is inconceivable, in my view and based on my knowledge of the PIRA and the intelligence I had access to, that Adams would not have been involved in this process and its ultimate authorisation.”

Kemp told the court he accessed intelligence from Army, MI5, and Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) over 20 years, explicitly naming Adams as part of PIRA hierarchy and Army Council attendee, per BBC News reporting. The Daily Mail noted Kemp reached an “unequivocal conclusion” that Adams was a “central figure” in Provisional IRA.

What Evidence Links Adams to the IRA Army Council?

As per RTE’s coverage, Kemp said in his statement he was privy to

“detailed intelligence information about the former Sinn Féin leader’s historic and current activities in PIRA”,

with British Army intelligence

“explicitly named the defendant as part of the PIRA hierarchy and as a member of the Army Council and noted his presence at Army Council meetings”.

AP News reported the trial accuses Adams of being a significant IRA figure responsible for the three England bombings. Reuters highlighted Adams’ consistent denials of IRA membership during the Troubles. An RUC Special Branch intelligence officer previously described Adams as the IRA’s “de facto leader”, according to Daily Mail.

How Did Cross-Examination Unfold for Kemp?

Under cross-examination by James Robottom, representing Adams, Kemp acknowledged he had no direct evidence of Adams’ role in the bombings and could not be sure intelligence did not come from political enemies, as detailed in the Guardian. He accepted intelligence could be “wrong and unreliable” but added:

“I saw intelligence and was briefed on intelligence for a period of around 20 years, which made it clear that Mr Adams was in the IRA. I think it is inconceivable that intelligence that was not correct would have been reported over that period of time.”

Robottom, per BBC, put to Kemp:

“You’ve never written previously about Gerry Adams [being a member of the IRA] … but have very strongly expressed opinions about Sinn Féin and the peace process.”

Kemp replied he could not remember writing about Adams, described Sinn Féin and IRA as “two sides of the same organisation”, and accepted being “very critical” of Troubles probes into British soldiers.

On his 2017 tweet using “taigs”, the Irish News-referenced term, Kemp said fellow soldiers called him that in Northern Ireland, he had not realised it was abusive, and never used it again after criticism; he is Catholic himself.

When asked about motivations given his veteran support, Kemp insisted per Yahoo News:

“The evidence I’m providing is neither political nor personal; it’s merely the facts as I understood them at the time.”

Who are the Victims Bringing the Claim?

The claimants are John Clark, injured in the 1973 Old Bailey car bomb; Jonathan Ganesh, wounded in the 1996 Docklands attack killing two and costing £150m; and Barry Laycock, hurt in the 1996 Manchester Corporation Street lorry bomb on 15 June injuring over 200.

Arise TV reported they seek a court ruling holding Adams personally liable for planting car bombs in London and Manchester, suing for £1 each primarily for “vindicatory purposes”. Press Association via Roscommon Herald stated Adams was “directly responsible for and complicit” in PIRA decisions to detonate bombs in England.

What is the Background of the Trial?

The seven-day hearing before Mr Justice Swift opened at Royal Courts of Justice around 8-9 March 2026, as per AFP via Nampa and Scottish Legal News. NAMPA/AFP noted Adams, 77, arrived for the opening; he has denied IRA membership but faced prior legal spats over Troubles role.

Guardian earlier reported the judge allowed personal suits after Adams’ lawyers argued he could not represent IRA. Irish Legal confirmed the basis: alleged PIRA leadership, denied by Adams.

What is Adams’ Response to the Allegations?

Gerry Adams has always denied IRA membership or Army Council role; his lawyers argue “no credible evidence”, per Facebook/LMFM and Reuters. In past, like 2019 Irish Times, he said:

“I was not a member of the IRA, I have never disassociated myself with the IRA, and I never will, until the day I die.”

What Could a Ruling Mean for Adams’ Legacy?

DUP leader Gavin Robinson told RTÉ News it would be “seismic” if the court rules Adams was IRA member, affecting the republican leader’s legacy amid claims of direct responsibility.

The trial revives Troubles debates, with witnesses establishing Adams’ senior IRA role at bombing times.