A civil case brought by three survivors of IRA bomb attacks against former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has been withdrawn after two weeks of evidence being heard.

The case was dramatically pulled at the last minute on Friday when proceedings were formally discontinued, according to lawyers representing the claimants. The withdrawal came after it emerged that the survivors could be held liable for Adams' legal costs, which could reach up to £500,000.

The three claimants were survivors of IRA bombing attacks that took place in England. They had brought the civil action against Adams, seeking to hold him responsible for the attacks through alleged connections to the IRA.

Lawyers described the withdrawal as resulting from an 'extraordinary' series of events that led to the case collapsing at the final stage. The potential financial liability for Adams' substantial legal fees appears to have been a decisive factor in the claimants' decision to discontinue the proceedings.

Adams has consistently denied being a member of the IRA throughout his political career. The former Sinn Féin president played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process that led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.