Veteran republican Ivor Bell cleared of soliciting murder of mother of 10 in 1972

Judge Mr Justice O’Hara directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty on Ivor Bell.

A veteran republican has been cleared of soliciting the murder of a mother of 10 in 1972, after a trial which heard a claim that Gerry Adams recommended her secret burial.

The former Sinn Féin president rejected the allegation as he appeared as a witness at a trial of the facts into two charges against Ivor Bell.