BBC journalist tells court source behind Gerry Adams allegation would be killed if identified

Jennifer O’Leary also said that at least two additional sources disclosed to her that the Provisional IRA were behind the murder of MI5 agent Denis Donaldson, and not dissident republicans

Gerry Adams (pictured) claims a Spotlight programme and a related article published in 2016 defamed him by falsely accusing him of sanctioning the 2006 killing of Mr Donaldson. File photo: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

A source who claimed to a BBC Spotlight programme that Gerry Adams sanctioned the Provisional IRA’s murder of a British agent would likely be killed if he was identified, the journalist behind the documentary has said.

Jennifer O’Leary also told the High Court on Tuesday that at least two additional sources disclosed to her that the Provisional IRA were behind the murder of MI5 agent Denis Donaldson, and not dissident republicans.