Courts / Ireland / Report

Parts of public council meeting removed from website after solicitors letter, Councillor claims

Summary

Independent Councillor Jimmy Guerin has brought a High Court action against Fingal County Council, challenging the alleged removal of parts of a public meeting recording from the council's website. The applicant claims that the removal of his comments, made during a January 18th meeting concerning the Development Plan, and the subsequent refusal to provide a record of the meeting breach his right to freedom of expression. Cllr Guerin alleges he raised bona fide questions regarding a potential conflict of interest involving another council member. He claims that following a letter from solicitors acting for that member, the council's chief executive decided to remove the relevant sections from the website and deny him access to a transcript or full recording. The applicant asserts these decisions are unlawful and represent a departure from established practice, effectively removing the only accurate public record of the proceedings. Represented by Paul McGarry SC, Cllr Guerin seeks orders quashing the executive's decisions to redact the webcast and deny access to records, as well as declarations that the actions were outside the executive's powers and breached his rights. The matter came before Mr Justice Charles Meenan on an ex-parte basis. The judge granted Cllr Guerin permission to bring the challenge. The matter was adjourned and will return before the court in April.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Parts of public council meeting removed from website after solicitors letter, Councillor claims. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• January 18th Incident
• December 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2022-02-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report