Court orders Gerry Adams to pay legal costs of pre-trial motions in defamation action against BBC

The judge also ruled that the BBC was entitled to the discovery of certain materials and documents from Mr Adams regarding his alleged relationship with the IRA

Gerry Adams is suing the BBC over what he claims is the false allegation that he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Féin official Denis Donaldson in 2006 who worked for decades as a spy for the British. File photo: Niall Carson/PA

A High Court judge has ordered Gerry Adams to pay the legal costs of two pre-trial motions brought in the former Sinn Féin leader's defamation action against the BBC over its reporting of the murder of Denis Donaldson.

The costs order, which was stayed, was made by Ms Justice Emily Egan on Friday. Earlier this month, the judge dismissed Mr Adam's application to strike out parts of the BBC's defence in his defamation action against the broadcaster.