A civil case against Gerry Adams in London concluded last Friday with a drop hands settlement. The claimants and their lawyers agreed to file a notice of discontinuance by 10am on 20 March 2026. No order for costs was issued.

Adams instructed his legal team to offer the settlement at the end of day eight of the trial. The case centered on three bomb attacks. After 11 witnesses testified and Adams gave two days of evidence, no documentary, forensic or direct evidence linked him to the attacks.

Witnesses included former intelligence and security personnel. Under cross-examination, they stated that intelligence is not evidence. They acknowledged that British and RUC intelligence services produced misleading claims and colluded with agents.

One former Special Branch officer claimed no evidence of collusion in his work on loyalist groups. The officer also alleged IRA responsibility for the Omagh bomb.

Adams's legal team cited official reports including the three Stevens reports, the de Silva report on Pat Finucane's murder, and the Kenova report. These reports detailed British state collusion with murder gangs and cover-up lies.

The judge raised abuse of process concerns on 12 March and again last Wednesday. Adams's senior counsel Eddie Craven argued the proceedings sought collateral advantages beyond the claim's scope. Claimants pursued vindicatory damages of £1 each but aimed for a public inquiry into Adams's alleged Troubles role via court processes.

Witness A confirmed no evidence on the three bombings. Witness B gave no evidence on them. Shane Paul O’Doherty stated he had no information on the bombings, never met or spoke to Adams before the trial, and never shared a room with him until then.

The claimants' lawyers attributed their decision to a late court intervention on abuse of process and potential costs risks.