IRA members viewed Adams' denials as 'hypocritical', claims journalist

A veteran investigative journalist has claimed IRA members he spoke to during the Troubles viewed repeated denials by Gerry Adams of ever being in the IRA as "insufferably hypocritical". John Ware, who made a number of programmes about the conflict, was giving evidence in a civil case against Adams in London. The former Sinn Féin leader is being sued by John Clark, Jonathan Ganesh and Barry Laycock, who were injured in IRA bombings in London and Manchester in 1973 and 1996. Adams, 77, strongly denies any involvement and has consistently rejected allegations of IRA membership. He is due to testify this week. The claimants, who are seeking "vindicatory" damages of £1, allege that Adams is personally culpable for decisions to plant the bombs. In his witness statement, Ware said he made a documentary for ITV in 1983, which focused on Adams and his election as west Belfast MP. The journalist said he wanted the programme to look at Adams and his background because he believed that on the basis of his reporting at the time, that Adams was a member of the IRA's ruling army council. "As such, it was fitting that World in Action (WIA) should look not only at him and his background but also f