Courts / Dublin / Report

Irish businessman says luxury London hotel group and Qatari royals defamed him

Summary

Ronnie Delany Jnr, an Irish businessman, has filed a damages claim in the High Court against Maybourne Hotels Ltd, its CEO Marc Socker, and two Qatari royals, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabber Al Thani. He alleges that letters published by the hotel group and Socker, purportedly as agents of the Qatari defendants, were sent to Irish recipients, including Paddy McKillen, and contained defamatory content that harmed his reputation. Delany claims the publication was part of a conspiracy to damage him and seeks exemplary and punitive damages, declarations that the letters defamed him and were conspiratorial, and an injunction to prevent further republication. The court granted permission to serve notice on the defendants, who reside outside Ireland, with potential service in the UK or Qatar. This case follows earlier disputes involving Delany's associate Paddy McKillen and the hotel group's ownership changes involving Qatari investors.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Irish businessman says luxury London hotel group and Qatari royals defamed him. Charges or matters: defamation; conspiracy; infliction of loss. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• April 13 Other
• 2022-05-30 Publication

Why: Permission was required because all four reside outside of the jurisdiction. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report