Sinn Fein leader launches appeal over 1970s prison break convictions

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has launched a legal bid to overturn two historical convictions for attempting to escape from prison.

Mr Adams confirmed that has started appeal proceedings in Belfast over incidents which occurred while he was interned without trial in the Maze Prison in the 1970s.

The Sinn Fein chief said he is appealing convictions he received in 1975 in two separate Diplock Court trials – cases tried by a single judge sitting without a jury – relating to two attempts to escape from internment. 0 Gerry Adams was among hundreds of republicans jailed

“Following the recovery of a document by the Pat Finucane Centre in October 2009 from the British National Archives in London, I instructed my solicitor to begin proceedings to seek leave to appeal the 1975 convictions,” he added.

Mr Adams was among hundreds of republicans to be held without trial during the height of the Northern Ireland Troubles.

During his internment, he was twice convicted of attempting to escape.

He has now lodged papers with the Court of Appeal in an attempt to have the convictions overturned.

A full appeal hearing is due to take place in the Autumn.

The Northern Ireland Court Service confirmed: “Gerard Adams is appealing against two convictions for attempting to escape from detention in the 1970s.”