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Gerry Adams\u2019 historic convictions for attempting to escape from the Maze Prison in the 1970s have been overturned by the UK\u2019s highest court after it ruled that his detention was unlawful.<\/p>\nGerry Adams\u2019 historic convictions for attempting to escape from the Maze Prison in the 1970s have been overturned by the UK\u2019s highest court after it ruled that his detention was unlawful.<\/p>\n
The former Sinn F\u00e9in leader claimed his two 1975 convictions were unsafe because his detention was not \u201cpersonally considered\u201d by a senior government minister.<\/p>\n
Mr Adams, 71, attempted to escape from the Maze \u2013 also known as Long Kesh internment camp \u2013 on Christmas Eve 1973 and again in July 1974.<\/p>\n
He was later sentenced to a total of four and a half years.<\/p>\n
At a hearing in November, Mr Adams\u2019 lawyers argued that, because the interim custody order (ICO) used to initially detain him in July 1973 was not authorized by the then-secretary of state for Northern Ireland Willie Whitelaw, his detention was unlawful and his convictions should be overturned.<\/p>\n
Announcing the Supreme Court\u2019s judgment at a remote hearing today, Lord Kerr \u2013 the former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland \u2013 said the court had unanimously allowed Mr Adams\u2019 appeal and had quashed his convictions.<\/p>\n
The judge said Mr Adams\u2019 detention was unlawful because it had not been \u201cconsidered personally\u201d by Mr Whitelaw.<\/p>\n
Lord Kerr said: \u201cThe making of the ICO in respect of the appellant was invalid since the secretary of state had not himself considered it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn consequence, Mr Adams\u2019 detention was unlawful, hence his convictions of attempting to escape from lawful custody were, likewise, unlawful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lord Kerr added: \u201cThe appeal is therefore allowed and his convictions are quashed.\u201d<\/p>\n