IRA victims' solicitor faces legal action from Gerry Adams's lawyers

The case concerns a press release issued following a judgement at the High Court in London in January

A solicitor representing IRA bomb victims is being threatened with legal action over remarks he made about his clients' civil case against former Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams.

Matthew Jury is facing defamation proceedings brought by the firm acting for Mr Adams.

It has been claimed the move is a SLAPP action, aimed "at discouraging (Mr) Jury from speaking out about the case".

The legal firm involved has denied this.

Mr Adams is being sued in a personal capacity over IRA bombings in England.

Following a judgement at the High Court in London in January, Mr Jury's firm, McCue Jury and Partners, issued a press release giving Mr Jury's reaction.

The firm representing Mr Adams, London-based Howe and Co Solicitors, subsequently alleged it was defamatory about its practice.

It has threatened to bring proceedings unless Mr Jury retracts his comments and apologises.

Mr Jury has stated the press release contained "uncontroversial statements of honest opinion".

'Deeply concerned'

A group that campaigns against SLAPP - strategic litigation against public participation - actions, the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition, has expressed concern.

It represents, among others, media organisations and Amnesty International.

"The case that (Mr) Jury was commenting on is a matter of widespread public interest and, therefore, the provision of quotes to media outlets constitutes a clear act of public participation," it stated.

"We are deeply concerned that this case is a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP), aimed at discouraging him from speaking out about the case."

Howe and Co said it had received no notice of the campaign group's statement, adding its content "is demonstrably untrue".

A statement from its senior partner Martin Howe added: "Our legal right to defend our reputation is not a SLAPP."

It went on to state Mr Adams had nothing to do with its action.

"He did not instruct us to write to Mr Jury and has no involvement whatsoever in our defamation claim," it added.