Gerry Adams donates €100k BBC libel damages to 'good causes'

The former Sinn Féin leader was awarded €100,000 (£84,000) in damages following a High Court trial in May

Gerry Adams has donated the €100,000 (£84,000) he won in a libel case against the BBC to "good causes".

The former Sinn Féin leader sued the corporation over a 2016 BBC NI Spotlight programme and online article about the murder of British agent Denis Donaldson.

In May, a jury found the 76-year-old had been defamed when it was alleged by an anonymous contributor that he sanctioned the 2006 killing.

On Tuesday, solicitors for Mr Adams confirmed that donations had been made to causes which include Gaza and the Irish language sector.

After the BBC announced it would not be appealing the verdict in June, Mr Adams said the damages would be donated.

Johnsons Solicitors, which represented Mr Adams in the case, said the BBC discharged the order of the court in relation to the compensation to their client.

The firm said donations had been made to a number of groups, including Unicef for the children of Gaza, a local GAA organisation, a support group for republican prisoners and families called An Cumman Cabhrach, the Irish language sector, and homeless and Belfast-based youth, mental health and suicide prevention projects.