IRA bomb survivor calls on Gerry Adams to ‘tell us the truth’
pa mediaA survivor of the IRA bombing in London’s Docklands has asked former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams for “the truth”.
The bomb blast in February 1996 killed two people and injured several, including law student Jonathan Ganesh, who was working as a security guard at the time.
Jonathan Ganesh is one of three people filing a civil action against Adams. The others are John Clarke, who was a victim of the Old Bailey attack in 1973, and Barry Laycock, who was injured in an IRA bombing in Manchester in 1996.
Adams has consistently denied being a member of the IRA.
getty imagesThis week it emerged that Mr Adams is to give evidence in his defence. He is being sued for symbolic damages of £1 for “prescriptive purposes”.
“It was not an easy decision to make, but we believe it was the right decision,” Mr Ganesh said.
He said, “This may be the last chance for the victims of IRA terrorism.”
Mr Ganesh was speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme.
He was asked what he wanted to hear Adams say at a high court hearing in 2026.
“Just tell us the truth,” Mr Ganesh said, “were you in the IRA or not?”
‘This will always bother me’
Mr Ganesh said: “We must make some way for the victims.”
“The troubles in Northern Ireland have left a terrible legacy.”
“There has to be some accountability,” he said.
Mr Ganesh said he and the other two men “appreciate that they will not be putting anyone in jail”.
He said, “Because Mr. Adams was so vocal in his support of the IRA, we believe he may be able to give us some answers.”
“We just need to stop this.”
The injuries Mr Ganesh sustained in the bomb had a “devastating impact” on his life.
He added, “I think it’s always going to be there.”
Despite calling himself “one of the lucky ones,” he said, “It will always haunt me.”
Despite still suffering injuries, Mr Ganesh said he had “forgiven” the IRA members who planted the bomb.
“I have forgiven those who hurt me and my two friends who were killed because forgiveness allows me to move on with my life.”
“However, there must be some accountability,” he added.
“The peace process is working and we support it…but there are still things we need to resolve,” he said.
