Gerry Adams To Challenge 1970s Jailbreak Convictions
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published November 19, 2019 | 10:00 AM
London, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Nov, 2019 ) :Sinn Fein's former leader Gerry Adams on Tuesday heads to Britain's highest court to challenge two convictions from the darkest days of the violence in Northern Ireland in the 1970s.
In the early days of "The Troubles", Adams was held without trial, under special "internment" measures designed to quell increasing unrest over British rule of the province.
He tried to escape from the high-security Maze prison near Belfast, which housed loyalist and republican paramilitary inmates, in December 1973 and July 1974.
But the plans, reportedly orchestrated by the Irish Republican Army (IRA), both failed. He was convicted of both attempts in March and April 1975.
Adams, now 71, did not challenge the guilty verdicts at the time but is now attempting to have them overturned following the release of previously classified government documents.
According to the Supreme Court, the issue at stake is whether his original custody order was "rendered invalid by the fact that it was made by the Minister of State (for Northern Ireland) and had not been considered personally by the Secretary of State".
Northern Ireland's Court of Appeal previously dismissed the case in February last year.
Three judges said they were satisfied the detention order was valid as the junior minister was acting on behalf of his superior.
- Internment - Internment was a controversial policy when it was introduced to try to end the spiralling violence between pro-British loyalists and republicans who wanted a united Ireland.
Between 1971 and 1975 nearly 2,000 mainly republican prisoners were held without trial, according to Ulster University.
The policy -- considered by some as a curb on civil liberties -- is often credited for stoking the bloodshed and bolstering support for the IRA.
After his release from prison, Adams became a political figurehead during some of the bloodiest episodes of the conflict, which left 3,500 dead over three decades.
He was charged with IRA membership in 1978 but the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence.
He became leader of Sinn Fein -- the political wing of the IRA -- in 1983.
But he has always publicly denied being enrolled in the ranks of paramilitary leadership, despite repeated conflicting claims from movement insiders.
Adams was elected to British parliament but declined to take up his seat under Sinn Fein's strict policy of abstention, in which representatives refused to swear loyalty to the British head of state, Queen Elizabeth II.
The IRA -- which did not recognise the authority of the British state to imprison its members -- frequently executed prison breaks.
The most prolific saw 38 republican paramilitaries break out en masse from the Maze prison in 1983, in a huge symbolic victory for the movement.
"The Troubles" effectively wound down with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ushered in a power-sharing government in Belfast between republican and unionist parties.
Adams stood down from the role as Sinn Fein leader in February 2018 but is still considered a leading force of the movement to create an all-Ireland republic.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
2 minutes ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
12 minutes ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
4 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
5 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
5 days ago
-
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
5 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
5 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
7 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
11 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
12 days ago