Courts / Dublin / Report

Pre-trial matters resolved in woman's action against Rihanna

Date
2022-05-10

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a High Court action, Dana Kavanagh (47) from Finglas, Dublin, sued Rihanna (Robyn Fenty) for alleged malicious falsehoods in an email sent on 11 July 2013 and a phone call to Kavanagh's sister‑in‑law. Kavanagh claims the email, which named her partner Geoffrey Keating – Rihanna's head of security in 2012‑2013 – caused her mental distress and destroyed a business she had built with Keating, called Geoff Keating Media. Rihanna denies the allegations. Two pre‑trial motions, including one about the discovery of certain materials, were resolved and could be struck out on consent. The case remains pending, with no hearing date set. Earlier, Rihanna's lawyers sought to set aside service of the proceedings at her New York home, but a 2018 judgment by Justice Miriam O'Regan found the service was valid under New York and U.S. federal law, though it noted "just grounds" for declaring the service affected by local court rules.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pre-trial matters resolved in woman's action against Rihanna. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

July 11, 2013 Other
2012 and 2013 Other
2022-05-10 Publication

Why: In her action, Ms Kavanagh claims she was caused mental distress and emotional suffering because of what she says was a false and malicious email sent on July 11, 2013, about her (Kavanagh's) partner Geoffrey Keating, who was Rihanna's head of security in 2012 and 2013. CNI source report