A civil suit at the High Court in London continues against Gerry Adams, ex-Sinn Féin leader. Victims John Clark, Jonathan Ganesh, and Barry Laycock seek £1 in damages. They claim Adams holds personal responsibility for IRA bombings that injured them.

Clark sustained injuries in the 1973 Old Bailey bombing in London. Ganesh was hurt in the 1996 Docklands bombing in London. Laycock suffered in the 1996 Arndale shopping centre bombing in Manchester.

Witness B, a former Royal Ulster Constabulary special branch officer, testified from behind a screen. His identity stays protected by court order. He served in intelligence from 1979.

He stated intelligence from the 1980s and 1990s placed Adams on the IRA army council. The council approved operations outside Northern Ireland. The Docklands bombing, which broke a ceasefire, needed army council authorisation. Adams ranked highly on the council then.

James Robottom, Adams' counsel, pointed out no arrest for IRA membership until the 21st century. Witness B said police monitored for evidence meeting criminal standards. Few prosecutions occurred solely for membership.

Timothy Hanley, another retired Northern Ireland police officer, gave a statement. He cited information linking Adams to directing the Old Bailey and Docklands bombings. Hanley explained priorities like loyalist feuds and dissident threats limited action.

Adams denies all IRA membership and involvement in the bombings. He plans to testify next week. The trial under Mr Justice Swift expects to end next week.