Three men injured in IRA car bombings in England have brought a civil suit against former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams. John Clark was injured in the 1973 Old Bailey bombing in London. Jonathan Ganesh was hurt in the 1996 London Docklands bombing. Barry Laycock suffered injuries in the 1996 Manchester Arndale shopping centre bombing. The plaintiffs seek £1 each in damages. They claim Adams was a member of the IRA Army Council at the time and approved the attacks. Adams denies any IRA membership or involvement.

The High Court trial is before Mr Justice Swift. Retired British Army Colonel Richard Kemp gave a witness statement. Kemp served as an intelligence officer from 1992 to 1994 and from 2002 to 2005. He completed seven tours in Northern Ireland between 1979 and 2001.

Kemp stated intelligence reports over two decades identified Adams as an IRA Army Council member who attended meetings. He said bomb attacks in Great Britain required Army Council approval, including the 1996 incidents. Kemp confirmed under cross-examination by barrister James Robottom that he had no direct evidence of Adams' involvement. He said no intelligence about Adams had been retracted.

Shane Paul O'Doherty testified. He served 14 years in prison for an IRA letter bomb campaign in London in the 1970s. O'Doherty confirmed he never met Adams, spoke to him, or attended a meeting with him. The day before his testimony was the first time they shared a room. Under cross-examination by barrister Edward Craven KC, O'Doherty stated IRA recruits from the early 1970s were instructed to deny membership to everyone, including family.

The trial continues later in March.