Overview

• The jury found the BBC did not act in good faith or fairness when alleging Adams sanctioned Donaldson’s killing.
• The panel determined that a reasonable viewer would interpret the Spotlight programme’s wording as indicating Adams approved the murder.
• Adams sought at least €200,000 in damages, the BBC pushed for a nominal award of €1, and the jury ultimately granted €100,000.
• The 2016 broadcast cited an anonymous source saying Adams gave “the final say” for the Real IRA to assassinate Denis Donaldson in 2006.
• Jurors deliberated for nearly seven hours across two days before returning the verdict on May 30, 2025.