Gerry Adams Through The Eyes Of The Press 1969-1974

Bleakley ✍ looks at how the senior Provisional IRA Gerry Adams was perceived through the eyes of the press in the first five years of the Northern conflict.

Belfast News Letter 26 March 1969: Sympathy Sit-In For 'Homeless'

A protest "sit-in" by members of Belfast Housing Action Committee will take place at Belfast Corporation Housing Estates office at No. 10. Linen Hall Street. at 11-45 a.m. today. Mr. Gerry Adams, a member of the committee, said last night that the protest would be in support of the Campbell and Sherlock families, of Colin Street, who had been on the Corporation housing list for years, and who had so far not been given houses.

"Both these families are living in condemned houses damaged in a fire two weeks ago." Mr. Adams said. "The houses have no roofs… The Sherlock family of nine are living in a two-bedroomed house, and they are not allowed to light a fire, in spite of the cold weather. Mr. Sherlock is now in hospital because of the conditions in which he has been living, for the past two weeks. "The Campbell family of eight are also in a two-bedroomed house," Mr. Adams said.

Belfast Telegraph 17 April 1969: Eviction order for 'squat' family

A Belfast family continues to occupy a Housing Trust flat despite an eviction order given to them today. Mrs. Rosaleen Campbell aged 40, her family of six and six members of the Belfast Housing Action Committee, say they will continue their protest "siting at the two-bedroom ground floor flat at Whitehall Path. off Divis Street, until the family is rehoused… A deputation of two from the Housing Action Committee. Mr. Anthony Doran and Gerry Adams handed in a letter to the Trust calling on them to find accommodation immediately for the Campbell family.

Irish Independent 19 July 1971: Brutality accusation

British troops in Belfast yesterday heard speakers at a Sinn Fein meeting accuse them of brutality. The troops, in landrovers and an armoured personnel carrier. stood by while the open-air meeting took place in the Andersonstown Estate. Special Branch detectives were among the audience of about 400 people.

The meeting was organised by the Cathal Brugha Cumann of Sinn Fein. A Fianna colour party carried the Tricolour, the Starry Plough and the Fianna flag. One speaker, Mr. Gerry Adams, from the Ballymurphy Estate, said many youths had been brutally beaten by soldiers stationed at the Henry Taggart Hall on the Springfield Road.

Belfast Telegraph March 15 1972 Detained Trio Named

The Three Top Provisional IRA suspects detained during raids in Belfast on Monday night, were still being questioned today. They have been named as Gerry Adams, said to be the commander of the second (Ballymurphy) battalion and "one of the most wanted men in Belfast"; Brendan McNamee, said to be commander of A Company of the second battalion; and Joseph Conlan, described as an explosives officer with the Ardoyne company of the third battalion.

Belfast News Letter 16 March 1972: Captures strike fierce blow at Provisionals

The capture on Monday of three leading members of the Provisional IRA has struck another fierce blow at the already decimated command structure of the organisation in Belfast. The detention of one of the men, Gerard Adams, was of particular value to the security forces. He had been the commander of the Provisionals' second battalion based in Ballymurphy for the past year and was the most wanted man in the city next to the overall Belfast commander, Seamus Twomey . . . Monday's swoop by the Army, which culminated in the arrest of the three officers and IRA a number of volunteers, has given the authorities great satisfaction. "It was a top class capture," The men are now being questioned by Special Branch officers.

Belfast Telegraph July 17 1972: IRA man in truce talks was detainee

One Of the top IRA men who met Secretary of State Mr. Whitelaw before the ceasefire was scrapped had been released from Long Kesh internment camp four weeks earlier. Gerry Adams, commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion (Ballymurphy) Provisional IRA, had been detained during raids in Belfast in mid-March. He was released by Mr. Whitelaw around the beginning of June and a short time later was part of the controversial delegation from the Provos which met the Secretary of State in a stately Chelsea mansion. At the time of his capture along with two other top IRA men Adams was high on the wanted list of the Security Forces.

Cambridge Evening News September 5: Speculation on end to bombings

There is increasing speculation in Republican circles, particularly in Belfast, that the Provisionals are considering ending their bombing campaign in the very near future… The speculation is being heightened by continuing reports that Seamus Twomey, officer commanding the Belfast brigade has, or is about to be, ousted by Gerry Adams, a former internee. Although this has been strongly denied by the Provisional IRA it is known that Adams, a leading member of the Belfast brigade staff, is well favoured by the army council.

Daily Mirror 28 November 1972: The Most Wanted Man In Ulster

Former barman Gerry Adams last night became the most wanted man in Ulster. He was appointed leader of the Provisional IRA's 1,500 armed men in Belfast. In just eighteen months, 24 year old Adams has rocketed through the IRA ranks and has spent time in Long Kesh detention . . . Adams takes over the Belfast command from 54-year-old Seamus Twomey, who is needed to stand in for the Provisionals chief-of-staff, Sean MacStiofain, now held in Eire . . . The Provisionals' top brass probably want him to halt the terror bombing in Ulster and concentrate on a political offensive. But the sniping war against British troops is likely to go on.

His other main task will be to heal the breach between the breakaway Provos and the IRA's official wing In Ulster. Members of the Official IRA are known to trust him. An Army spokesman said in Belfast last night: “We know that the Provisional IRA command is being reorganised. Intelligence now indicate that Adams is the most important IRA man in Ulster."

Belfast Telegraph December 21 1972: O'Connell looks to be the new Provo leader

ALL THE indications are that David O'Connell, who claims he is on the run from the police in Eire, has taken over as chief of staff of the Provisional IRA in the absence of Sean MacStiofain, serving a jail sentence. O'Connell went into hiding after what he believes was an attempt to arrest him in Dublin a few days ago. The police have denied that they were seeking to arrest him. It is understood that O'Connell's appointment has the full approval of the Northern Command, including Seamus Twomey and Gerry Adams. O'Connell has a history of guerilla activity and is by no means purely the political figure he is thought by some to be.

Belfast Telegraph January 29 1973: Adams to head IRA in Ulster?

Gerry Adams, the former commander of the Ballymurphy battalion of the Provisional IRA and who has been the Provos boss in Belfast in recent months, may soon assume overall leadership of the IRA in Northern Ireland. Sources in both Belfast and Dublin said today that. Adams, a 24-year-old ex-barman, was in the running for post of military leader, now that Sean MacStiofain was in prison at the Curragh Camp. It is understood the Provisional IRA leadership will now be divided in two parts. David O'Connell will assume leadership in the South, with Adams leading the military campaign in Northern Ireland. The president of Sinn Fein. Mrs. Maire Drumm will continue her role of being in charge of political leadership of Sinn Fein (Kevin Street). Adams succeeded Seamus Twomey (54) as the Provo boss in Belfast. Both are members of the Provo's army council… Adams has the advantage of not being well-known to the public. His face has rarely been seen in public.

Birmingham Post January 30 1973: Two Ulster IRA men are jailed after Dublin trial

Sunday Mirror March 11 1973 'Bombers Plan Fresh Terror'

A Secret commando-style group has been set up to organise more IRA bombings in Britain. Sources close to the Provisionals said yesterday that the group is part of an operation which started with the London bomb outrages on Thursday... Hand-picked young men and women volunteers from Belfast would carry out the raids, linking up with IRA cells already set up in London and other British cities. The volunteers have been chosen for their youth, their fanaticism and because they are unknown to security forces. Republicans throughout the north were delighted by the shock which the London bombings produced... The London bombings came as a complete surprise to most of the rank-and-file IRA membership. According to one source, they were organised by former internee Gerry Adams and the director of operations was the only man to ever escape from Long Kesh. Francis McGuigan.

Liverpool Daily Post April 12 1973: Welsh soldier killed in Ulster

…And in Belfast, security chiefs in Northern Ireland have ordered a new search for two top Provisional IRA men. They are convinced that Seamus Twomey, the Provos commander in Belfast, and his assistant Gerry Adams are in the city, investigating reports that thousands of pounds of the movement's "fighting fund" have been misappropriated.

The Liverpool Echo May 14 1973: One killed, three hurt by IRA mine

Sources close to the IRA in Ulster were reluctant early to-day to comment on reports of a Belfast-inspired take-over of the complete Provisional network. According to the reports, Seamus Twomey and Gerry Adams, both now acknowledged as hard liners, were among those in control. Twomey and Adams have been closely identified with the violence in Belfast.

Daily Mirror May 25 1973: Hunt For IRA Terror Boss

A Former Belfast barman became Ulster's Public Enemy No. 1 last night. Army chiefs named 25-year-old Gerry Adams as the man behind a new wave of IRA killings. Adams, latest head of the Provisionals' underground army in the city is believed to have set himself a target of 200 British deaths before the Ulster Assembly elections next month. The Army's death toll since the emergency started in 1969 now stands at 180. An Army spokesman said last night: "We would like very much to talk to Mr. Adams."

Belfast Telegraph June 15 1973: 3 injured as 'Duke's' is hit by bombers

A 54-year-old man suffering from facial lacerations and a 34-year-old woman. with superficial injuries were two of the three people taken to hospital after the huge blast outside the Duke of York's… the bomb… had been left in a hijacked television supply firm's van in narrow Commercial Court, close to the bar where Provisional IRA leader Gerry Adams once worked as a barman. The blast, about 20 minutes later, wrecked the old building and extensively damaged adjoining property. None of the injured was reported to be seriously hurt.

Belfast Telegraph July 19 1973: Gerry Adams Is Held By Troops

Gerry Adams, the Chief of the IRA in Belfast, and two brigade officers, were arrested by security forces in the Falls area of the city this afternoon. The two top Provos arrested with their leader are understood to be Brendan Hughes and Tom Cahill, brother of former Belfast Chief of Staff, Joe Cahill. Details of the security forces' biggest coup were not being immediately released but it is understood the three were detained without a struggle.

Belfast Telegraph July 20 1973: Blow To Provos As 18 Top Men Are Held

A Severe Blow was dealt to the Provisional IRA command structure yesterday when 18 men including some of the top brigade staff were detained in Army swoops. News of the coup broke after three top ranking IRA officers - ex-Belfast barman Gerry Adams (25), described as the most wanted man in Ulster, Brendan Hughes and Tom Cahill, brother of former Belfast chief of staff Joe Cahill - were caught in a house at Beechmount, in the Falls area of the city. Acting on tip-offs, four military units swooped on houses in different parts of the city and arrested the men in one of the most successful operations since the terror campaign began in 1969.

Today an Army spokesman said: "It was a very satisfactory day, but only one step on the long road." Despite this modest view the Army must feel they are now getting to the top.

Adams, who was captured by a ten-man patrol of the 2nd Light Infantry, was believed to be the brain behind the campaign in Belfast… Brendan Hughes (23) thought to have planned many of the recent bombing campaigns in Belfast.

The Irish People (NORAID) 28 July 1973: Adams, Hughes, Coogan Kicked, Beaten And Burned By British Soldiers

A report smuggled out yesterday from Cage Six in Long Kesh Internment Camp alleges that the Belfast Provisional I.R.A. Leader, Gerry Adams, was subjected to "considerable ill-treatment" in Springfield Road Barracks, Belfast, last Thursday, before his removal to Castlereagh interrogation centre. The report says that Adams, who was arrested at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday was not, despite reports by the media, removed to Castlereagh at 3:30 p.m., but was in fact held in the Springfield Rd. Barracks until 11:30 p.m. During the nine hours spent in the barracks it is alleged he was knocked unconscious by British soldiers, and revived by having buckets of water thrown over him. He was reportedly struck on the body and on the genitals, and had his hand and body burned with cigarettes. The report also claims that Brendan Hughes, who was captured with Adams, was subjected to kicking and was made to sit on spikes during his period in the barracks.

Birmingham Post December 27 1973: Kangaroo Court Theory in Ulster Killing

Four detained Ulster terrorist suspects made an unsuccessful Christmas attempt to escape from The Maze, it was disclosed on Christmas Day. One was Gerry Adams, once reputed to be leader of the Provisional IRA in Belfast. They got no further than the edge of their own compound, and were nowhere near to making a complete getaway.

Belfast Telegraph May 10 1974: Top IRA Escaper Caught

Continued from Page 1… Dark-haired Hughes is reported to be a hard-liner who prefers the military approach. A close friend of Gerry Adams, he was a former operations officer for the Provisionals in Belfast. Details of how the security forces picked up Hughes and how they knew where he was staying were not immediately known.

Belfast Telegraph 27 July 1974: Adams Escape Bid: Police Question Men

A Number of people. were being interviewed by the RUC today following yesterday's abortive escape from the Maze Prison of top Provisional IRA man Gerry Adams. They were being questioned by detectives after Adams (26) tried to swap places with a man in one of the prison's visiting cubicles. But a prison warder became suspicious and all visiting was immediately suspended. Adams, a former barman and once chief of the Belfast brigade, was wearing a wig and false beard he had shaved his own off when the escape bid was intercepted. He also had his hair cut in an attempt to deceive warders.

One of the people being quizzed today was the man Adams intended changing places with. Adams has been detained since his capture in the Falls area of Belfast just over a year ago when he was caught with two other hard-liners. And his bid for freedom yesterday is believed to have been the second he has made within the last two months. He is believed to have been one of six Provos, who tried to walk out of the prison dressed in mock Army uniforms and carrying wooden weapons. Meanwhile the Northern Ireland Office has refuted allegations that visitors were ill-treated and food parcels were interfered with after Adams was hurriedly removed from the cubicle.

Belfast Telegraph August 23 1973: Adams escape bid charge

An 18-Year-Old Belfast woman alleged to have taken part in the attempted escape by IRA leader Gerry Adams from the Maze prison, was released on continuing bail at Armagh court today. Earlier this week, Cottette McKenna (18), of Creeve Walk, was granted bail totalling £2,500 by the High Court. But when Miss McKenna appeared in the dock this morning along with Elizabeth Anne O'Neill (24), of Westrock Drive, and Eileen Owens (20), of Dunmisk Park, both Belfast, the clerk of petty sessions, Mr. James Weir, said that the bail documents were not in his possession.

Belfast Telegraph September 7 1973 Man Is The Double Of IRA Terrorist'

Alfred Noel McNeice looks uncommonly like "notorious IRA terrorist Gerry Adams," the High Court was told this afternoon. Crown counsel told Mr. Justice Kelly that a bid had been made to substitute McNeice "for a notorious IRA terrorist Gerry Adams," and McNeice had made a full statement… Counsel for McNeice said it was perhaps because of his job he had to follow a regular routine and his undoubted similarity to Adams that he was chosen as a substitute to enable the escape to take place. He understood that McNeice was uncommonly like Adams and this had led to a number of embarrassing positions he had found himself in, particularly with the arrival of a new Army regiment.

⏩Bleakley is an IT consultant currently living in the south of Ireland. Covid-19 boredom spurred an interest in the nitty gritty of Irish history.