Ben Gilroy loses High Court challenge over RTÉ debate

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Ben Gilroy lost his High Court challenge over RTÉ’s televised election debate, reported on 14 May 2019. The independent Dublin candidate had sought declarations that RTÉ’s selection process was unfair and undemocratic, but was not asking the court to overturn the decision or order his inclusion.

Mr Justice Senan Allen ruled that the case had no legal basis and awarded costs against Mr Gilroy. The judge said the declarations should have been sought through judicial review rather than an urgent High Court hearing.

The court did not rule on the substantive question of which candidates should participate. RTÉ said its criteria were intended to balance inclusiveness with a coherent debate, and that Mr Gilroy’s one-minute campaign video would be broadcast on 20 May.