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Costs ordered against Elon Musk's 'X' in ongoing case against Irish media watchdog

Summary

The High Court has awarded legal costs to the Coimisiún na Meán against X Internet Unlimited Company, following the platform's unsuccessful application for a stay on an ongoing investigation. Mr Justice Cian Ferriter granted the costs to the commission, represented by David Fennelly SC, after it successfully defended against X's stay request. X, represented by Neil Steen SC, had sought to quash the commission's decision to refer user complaints, made under the EU's Digital Services Act, to its internal supervisory team. The judge previously refused the stay, finding that X overstated potential prejudice and understated the public interest in the orderly operation of the complaints process under the Digital Services Act and the Broadcasting Act 2009. X argued that the investigation's continuation would cause serious harm and render its judicial review moot. However, the judge ordered costs in favour of the commission, rejecting X's argument that costs should not automatically follow given the stay issue could be revisited. The substantive judicial review, in which X claims the referral was unlawful while the commission denies this, is scheduled for a two-day hearing on July 2-3. Crucially, Mr Justice Ferriter placed a stay on the costs order itself, pending the determination of the overall proceedings in July.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Costs ordered against Elon Musk's 'X' in ongoing case against Irish media watchdog. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• July 2 Other
• 2026-03-27 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

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Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report