AT times at Belfast Coroner's Court yesterday, it seemed as if proceedings were more focused on establishing if Gerry Adams was a member of the IRA than shedding new light on the events of August 1971.
A barrister for the Ministry of Defence was reminded by coroner Siobhan Keegan on at least four occasions that his questions should refer specifically to the incidents in Ballymurphy and not the wider issue of the former Sinn Féin president's past.
The lawyer had quoted at length from various publications by journalist and authors suggesting that Mr Adams, now a TD for Louth, had been a member of the IRA.
When reminded by Mrs Justice Keeegan that he had already denied this and the questioning was repetition, the barrister replied that it was to establish Mr Adams's integrity as a witness, insisting: "It goes to the heart of reliability and credibility."
In the end the coroner told him: "I am going to have to finish this. If you have a question, ask a question. I have got all the points you need to make."
Read more: Gerry Adams tells Ballymurphy inquest 'I was not a member of the IRA'
At times the exchanges between 70-year-old Mr Adams and the lawyer were terse, with the former West Belfast MP repeatedly replying to one particular line of questioning: "I have no information on any of these questions."
Asked about a newspaper article which claimed he was a commander of the IRA in Ballymurphy, Mr Adams rejected the assertion out of hand.
And, in the final hour of the evidence, as patience on both sides was obviously beginning to fray beneath the veneer of polite interchanges, Mr Adams responded to the barrister's assertion that he had witnessed three incidents with "For once, you've got it right" - prompting some bemused smiles.
At another point, there was applause from the public gallery when Mr Adams objected to the persistent line of questioning.
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Looking smart in a navy suit, blue shirt and red polka dot tie, with a silver fáinne on his lapel, the Sinn Féin leader at times pushed his glasses onto his head to better examine some of the maps and statements, but was never in danger of losing his composure.
His evidence ended with a reply to a single question from barrister Michael Mansfield QC, who represents the families of three of the civilian victims.
Read More: Gerry Adams retires as Sinn Féin leader saying: I've done my best
He asked Mr Adams if, given his close involvement with the area, he had any information or evidence that those who died were members of the IRA or connected to it.
Mr Adams replied there had never been any association between those killed at Ballymurphy and the IRA, adding that previously "the IRA have claimed volunteers who were killed".
After giving his evidence, Mr Adams declined interviews but chatted with relatives of those killed for a short time before being driven away.
Read more: Gerry Adams tells Ballymurphy inquest 'I was not a member of the IRA'
