Sir Max Hill KC said to Adams: “It’s your business to defend many actions of the IRA, is that an accurate statement?”
Adams replied: “I do not defend all the IRA actions, but my position is based on the broad principle that people have the right to resist occupation.”
Hill added: “You have, over a long period of time, chosen to stand by the IRA.”
Adams responded: “I do not stand by everything that they did, but these were my neighbours.”
He continued: “I’m glad that the IRA has left the stage, I’m glad that no-one else is being killed.
“I am glad that there is a peace process but I do not distance myself from the IRA, while being very, very clear that there were dastardly things that were done that should never have been done.”
Hill also questioned Adams about a photo of him at an IRA funeral in which he is wearing a black beret.
Adams said he was part of a guard of honour, of which he was “honoured” to be a part.
Adams added he also took part in the guard of honour at the funeral of former South African president Nelson Mandela, which was “also a great honour”.
“But there is no suggestion I was a member of the ANC (African National Congress),” he said.