Courts / Dublin / Report

Iona Institute researcher to sue Twitter for allegedly defamatory tweets

Summary

An academic and part-time researcher with the Roman Catholic advocacy group the Iona Institute, Dr Angelo Bottone, has initiated defamation proceedings against Twitter over tweets he claims defamed him. The action concerns tweets from October 2017, which Dr Bottone alleges are untrue and defamatory, and which he claims he requested Twitter to remove. Twitter denies responsibility for any allegedly defamatory tweets. Rossa Fanning SC, representing Twitter, stated that his client is surprised by the lawsuit and intends to rely on the defence of innocent publication. Declan Doyle SC, for Dr Bottone, argued that Twitter cannot rely on that defence due to its refusal to remove the tweets following repeated complaints. The case was briefly heard before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds at the High Court, where Dr Bottone secured an order directing Twitter International Company to disclose details of the account holder he alleges defamed him. The orders require Twitter to provide Dr Bottone with the identity of the account user, including name, address, telephone number, email address, IP addresses, and other related information. Dr Bottone does not know the identity of the account holder and intends to take defamation proceedings against them. Twitter neither consented nor objected to the order, and Mr Fanning stated that the information will be provided by January 11th next. The judge reserved the issue of costs to the hearing of the action.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Iona Institute researcher to sue Twitter for allegedly defamatory tweets. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• October 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 11th Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-12-10 Publication

Why: Declan Doyle SC, for Dr Bottone, said Twitter cannot rely on that defence because of its refusal to remove the tweets following repeated complaints by his client. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

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Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report