Three men injured in IRA bombings in England have brought a civil case against Gerry Adams at the High Court in London. John Clark was hurt in the 1973 Old Bailey bombing. Jonathan Ganesh suffered injuries in the 1996 Docklands bombing. Barry Laycock was injured in the 1996 Manchester Arndale shopping centre bombing. The men allege Adams holds personal liability for their injuries and seek £1 each in damages.

Adams testified for almost 10 hours over the trial's eighth day. He denied any role in the bombings. The trial before Mr Justice Swift has heard from 12 witnesses. It entered its second week at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Edward Craven KC, representing Adams, questioned the decades-long delay in filing the claims. He noted John Clark waited almost 50 years after his injury. Craven stated no similar case had overcome such a delay under the 1980 limitation legislation. He argued the action falls outside the three-year limit period.

Craven suggested the claimants acted only after learning of impending Troubles legacy legislation in 2022 that would bar new cases. He said Jonathan Ganesh decided to proceed after Adams' 2020 case over his 1970s internment. Craven described the delay by Barry Laycock as coming to the last minute.

Adams' team contends the case amounts to an abuse of process. Craven argued it seeks a broad examination of Adams' alleged IRA involvement rather than focusing on the three bombings. He said evidence presented strays far from those specific events.

Anne Studd KC, for the claimants, rejected the abuse claim as procedurally unfair after eight days of evidence. She maintained the men deserve a judgment following the trial. Studd noted the case requires piecing together evidence due to the time span and Adams' denials.

Outside court on Thursday, Adams said he attended to reject the allegations and respect the claimants. He expressed awareness of other conflict victims. The trial was set to conclude on Friday.