The High Court (Reynolds J) recently withdrew a case for the jury to decide after finding that the article, the subject of the High Court defamation proceedings, enjoyed absolute legal privilege as a fair and accurate report of public court proceedings in Kilkenny District Court.
Michael Reilly had sued Iconic Newspapers, publishers of the Kilkenny People, over a report in its edition on 19 February 2016 referring to a man of the same name and same address (“Ballycullen, Mallinahone, Tipperary”) who was convicted of driving with no insurance. It was noted by the High Court that the Defendant in this case offered to make a clarification to the article but this was rejected by the Plaintiff.
The judge found that the report published by the Defendant was “100%” accurate and accords with the decision recorded in the court minute book and conviction orders record. It effectively mirrored the decision of the court.
Defamation actions are complex and it is important that you obtain expert advice at the earliest opportunity. For more information on defamation matters, please see our dedicated information page here.
