Gerry Adams' historic convictions for attempting to escape from the Maze Prison in the 1970s have been overturned by the UK's highest court after it ruled that his detention was unlawful. The former Sinn Fein leader claimed his two 1975 convictions were unsafe because his detention was not "personally considered" by a senior government minister. Mr Adams, 71, attempted to escape from the Maze - also known as Long Kesh internment camp - on Christmas Eve 1973 and again in July 1974. The judge said Mr Adams' detention was unlawful because it had not been "considered personally" by Mr Whitelaw. "In consequence, Mr Adams' detention was unlawful, hence his convictions of attempting to escape from lawful custody were, likewise, unlawful."

Source: Irish Independent May 13, 2020 09:00 UTC