Gerry Adams’s historical prison escape convictions should be overturned because his original detention without charge was unlawful, the UK’s highest court has heard. Mr Adams attempted to escape from the Maze Prison, also known as Long Kesh internment camp, on Christmas Eve 1973, and again in July 1974. Mr Adams was first detained in March 1972, but was released in June that year to take part in secret talks in London before being rearrested in July 1973. Last year, the Court of Appeal in Belfast heard that, on Christmas Eve 1973, Mr Adams was among four detainees caught attempting to break out of the Maze. However, prison staff were alerted to the plan and Mr Adams was arrested in the car park of the jail, the court was told.

Source: The Irish Times November 19, 2019 07:18 UTC