High Court orders arrest of local election candidate

The High Court has ordered the arrest of an independent candidate standing for Donegal County Council following her alleged failure to comply with court orders regarding defamatory material posted online. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan ruled on Friday that Patricia McCafferty of Bundoran be arrested and brought before the court on a charge of contempt of court. Bundoran Town Council sought the order after Ms McCafferty allegedly failed to remove YouTube videos from the social media platform despite a High Court directive issued on 1 May requiring their removal. The council claims the videos and signage displayed in the town make defamatory allegations against its members and officials. The court heard that while roadside signs have since been taken down, the YouTube posts remain accessible. Ms McCafferty, a former traffic warden dismissed by the council in 2008, was not present at the hearing. The judge found she had breached the court orders and been properly served notice of proceedings.