Courts / Ireland / Report

Eoghan Harris had sole control over Twitter account, defamation case hears

Summary

In a High Court hearing on 18 November 2021, former Sunday Independent columnist Eoghan Harris testified that he alone controlled the Twitter account @barbarapym2, used to post allegedly defamatory material about journalists Allison Morris and Aoife Moore. Harris's sworn statement contradicted an earlier RTE interview in which he said unnamed persons had contributed to the account. The journalists, represented by Thomas Hogan SC, seek damages and a Norwich Pharmacal order compelling Twitter International to disclose identities, IP addresses, phone numbers, e‑mail addresses, login times and details of any other accounts that posted or retweeted the defamatory content. Twitter, represented by Alan Keating BL, argues the orders are burdensome and proposes an alternative, non‑opposed disclosure formula. Harris, defended by Frank Callinan SC, denies any involvement beyond the Barbara J Pym account and rejects claims of association with other accounts. The case remains pending, with Judge Mark Sanfey reserving judgment.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Eoghan Harris had sole control over Twitter account, defamation case hears. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 2021-11-18 Publication

Why: The two journalists claim that they have been the subject of many defamatory tweets published by the accounts and were forced to bring these proceedings in order to vindicate their good names and professional reputations. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report