Adams, 76, is one of the most influential figures of Northern Ireland’s decades of conflict, and its peace process. He led the IRA-linked party Sinn Fein between 1983 and 2018. He has always denied being an IRA member, though former colleagues have said he was one of its leaders.
In 2009, a splinter group opposed to Northern Ireland’s peace agreement, the Real IRA, claimed responsibility for killing Donaldson. An Irish police investigation remains ongoing.