Gerry Adams was IRA's 'de facto' leader, ex-police officer claims in court

A former Northern Ireland police officer who worked in intelligence said Gerry Adams was "a very formidable opponent" as the IRA's "de facto" leader. Witness B has been giving evidence against the former Sinn Féin leader at the High Court in London. Adams, 77, 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 strenuously denies any involvement and has consistently rejected claims he was ever in the IRA. He is due to testify next week. The claimants, who are seeking "vindicatory" damages of £1, allege he is personally liable for decisions to plant the bombs. Witness B testified from behind a screen, after the court ordered his identity be kept secret. He worked in Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) special branch from 1979. Based on intelligence he read, he alleged Adams had been a senior member of the IRA army council and the "de facto" leader of the IRA. Asked why he was not arrested, he replied: "He wouldn't answer any questions so what would have been the purpose of arresting him?" Witness B described him as "a very formidable opponent" and a "strategic thinker". He said the London Dockl