Defamation

The Supreme Court has determined that Iconic Newspapers Ltd could not rely on the defence of qualified privilege in respect of a publication which erroneously stated that William Bird featured on Revenue’s "tax defaulters list". Delivering judgment for the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Maurice Col

Government plans to tackle so-called SLAPPs are likely to be "impotent in practice" and could see Ireland hauled before the EU courts, legal experts and more than two dozen civil society organisations have warned. The Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024, which includes anti-SLAPP provisions alongside i

Legal proceedings have been issued against Disney in connection with a TV series which depicts the 1972 murder of Jean McConville. Belfast firm Phoenix Law is acting for prominent Irish republican Marian McGlinchey (née Price) in her defamation case over her Say Nothing, a historical drama re

The High Court has refused to stay defamation proceedings brought by media lawyer Paul Tweed against two companies responsible for the sale of a book alleged to contain defamatory material. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Anthony Barr confirmed that “the default position is

The High Court has refused an application to extend the one-year limitation period for defamation actions in respect of allegedly defamatory publications about a Jack and Jill Foundation board member. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Oisín Quinn found that the plaintiff coul

The Circuit Court has awarded €14,400 to a man whose daughter made defamatory statements about him during a baptism ceremony which was livestreamed on Facebook. Delivering judgment for the Circuit Court, His Honour Judge Meehan held that the statements amounted “to an assertion that the p

Retail and hospitality leaders have called on justice minister Jim O’Callaghan to address what they describe as a rising trend of “vexatious defamation litigation being entertained” in Irish courts, saying small businesses do not feel adequately protected under current law. In a le

William Fry lawyers Adele Hall, Paul Convery and Niamh McCabe look at the recent High Court decision in Casey v McMenamin, in which significant damages, including aggravated damages, were awarded for defamation arising from a Facebook post. Momentum towards the proposed reform of defamation laws was

An Irish business lobby group has accused lawyers of profiting from "abusive and vexatious defamation litigation". The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has criticised the government's Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024, which it says does not go far enough to protect small busines

The High Court has dismissed a cattle dealer's action alleging negligence and breach of contract against his former solicitor in relation to the handling of failed 2015 proceedings. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Alexander Owens determined that “Finbar Tolan has not proved

The Court of Appeal has allowed Google to be joined as a defendant in defamation proceedings relating to a YouTube video where the High Court had found the claim was statute-barred. Bernard Gilroy and Vincent Byrne allege they were defamed in a video posted to the video-sharing platform by Fiona O'L

The High Court has awarded €40,000 to a gas and plumbing company for defamatory reviews posted online by a disgruntled customer. Delivering an judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Conleth Bradley remarked that the untrue words describing the company “as 'cowboys', 'gangsters', 'absolut

The High Court has refused to stay Irish defamation proceedings against CNN on the basis that the plaintiffs should have issued proceedings in Washington DC, finding that the plaintiffs acted reasonably in issuing proceedings solely in Ireland. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Garr

Former presidential candidate Peter Casey has been awarded €140,000 in damages after he was defamed on Facebook by an anti-immigration activist. Kim McMenamin made "defamatory and malicious remarks" about Mr Casey's efforts to provide accommodation in Buncrana, Co Donegal for refugees fleeing t

Disney is facing legal proceedings in connection with a TV series which depicts the 1972 murder of Jean McConville. Belfast firm Phoenix Law is acting for prominent Irish republican Marian Price, who is depicted shooting Ms McConville in Say Nothing, a historical drama produced by FX and released la