The former president of Sinn Fein is suing the BBC over a claim that he sanctioned the killing of informer Denis Donaldson in 2006.

The BBC argue the publication was fair and reasonable and in the public interest, a defence against a defamation action outlined in the Defamation Act 2009.

Investigators are keeping an ‘open mind’, pending the results of tests to determine whether the remains belong to IRA murder victim, Joe Lynskey.

Gerry Adams claims a Spotlight programme and a related article published in 2016 defamed him by falsely accusing him of sanctioning the killing of MI5 agent Denis Donaldson at a cottage in Glenties, Co Donegal in 2006

Gerry Adams claims the BBC defamed him by falsely accusing him of sanctioning the 2006 killing of Denis Donaldson

The former Sinn Féin leader also told the court on Wednesday that the fact that he was suing the BBC over claims made in a 2016 Spotlight programme showed how serious he took those claims.

Mr Adams said counsel was attempting to “smother” the jury with “obscure” allegations, and that he was trying to persuade the jury that his reputation is “useless”, that he has “no reputation whatsoever”.

The memorandum of understanding will grant inquiry access to material held by the Irish administration.

The remains also do not belong to any member of the family who own the grave plot in Annyalla, Co Monaghan, investigators have said.

The senior Sinn Féin politician said it is important for people to have a ‘right to remember their dead’.

Eoin Morley was murdered by the Provisional IRA in Newry in 1990.

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly delivered the graveside oration to Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane at Milltown Cemetery.

McFarlane, from the Ardoyne area of north Belfast, was known for taking part in the biggest escape in UK prison history.

DUP MLA Phillip Brett said there was ‘not a scintilla’ of remorse from the republican party over McFarlane’s violent actions.

Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane, who oversaw the hunger strikes inside the Maze Prison, has died.

Use of lethal force by the SAS soldiers was ‘not reasonable’, Mr Justice Michael Humphreys concluded

US president Bill Clinton overruled his advisor, newly released records show.

Concerns were raised about Robert Lowry, who presided over scores of non-jury trials of Republicans during the Troubles, newly released files reveal.

Irish and British authorities acknowledged that adding the Real IRA to the US list would also have benefits.

Mr Blair called on the IRA to provide clarity on ‘three questions’ around disarmament.

Mary-Lou McDonald was speaking following reports a Sinn Fein member had been named as involved in the disappearance of Columba McVeigh in 1975.

In the Commons, Gregory Campbell argued that ‘peace is welcome, but not people trying to turn peace into a victory parade’.

Simon Harris was speaking after Mary Lou McDonald would not rule out attending an IRA member’s funeral as taoiseach.

The First Minister was asked whether the IRA Army Council currently has any influence over Sinn Fein.

Seán Walsh is wanted for prosecution in the North under the Trade and Co-operation Agreement between the EU and the UK.

Martin John McCauley is accused of killing three RUC officers

The British Army officer is believed to have been abducted by the Provisional IRA while on an undercover operation in a pub in south Armagh in 1977.

Kenova chief Sir Iain Livingstone has written to Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn raising his concern at the late disclosure.

John Kelly’s father, Private Patrick Kelly, was killed while taking part in the rescue of a supermarket executive kidnapped by the Provisional IRA.

Nathan Kinsella told gardaí that he had a multi-millionaire friend who gifted him hundreds of thousands of euro while he was on the dole but saw nothing "dodgy" in it

Elon Musk was involved in another bizarre online exchange about Ireland when he called the IRA a "plush toy" in response to a post about Irish immigration from a far-right account

A little-known republican paramilitary group had claimed responsibility for the 1976 shootings.

Mr Justice Humphreys also concluded that the operation was not planned in a manner which minimised the need for lethal force.

Surrey Police told the families of the victims that no new inquiries are planned prior to the commencement of the UK's Legacy Act

Peter Ryan, Tony Doris and Lawrence McNally were killed in a hail of gunfire in Coagh, Co Tyrone, in June 1991.

He was found dead in his home in Strabane on Monday.

Mr McAuley was part of the IRA gang that shot dead Detective Garda Jerry McCabe in Limerick in 1996, and was sentenced in 1999 to 14 years in jail.

The death of the disinherited heiress comes just days before a film about her life is to be released in cinemas.

The legacy inquest is examining the SAS shootings of Peter Ryan, Tony Doris and Lawrence McNally in Coagh, Co Tyrone, in June 1991.

The Sinn Féin leader said a report into the operation of the British Army’s top agent inside the IRA was ‘deeply shocking’

Operation Kenova examined 101 murders and abductions linked to the Provisional IRA’s so-called ‘nutting squad’.

Kevin Winters, who represents 12 families directly impacted by the report, said there now needed to be a public inquiry.

The agent in the internal security unit of the IRA is widely believed to be Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci.