Dave Fanning launches defamation proceedings over false article

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Dave Fanning launched defamation proceedings in the High Court, reported on 15 January 2024, over an article that linked his photograph to another broadcaster’s sexual misconduct trial.

The article appeared on BNN and was allegedly republished on Microsoft’s MSN. Fanning claims its statements about him were seriously false and damaging; the report says the trial concerned another broadcaster, who was later acquitted of all charges.

On 15 January 2024, a judge allowed Fanning to serve the intended action on BNN and adjourned the application concerning Microsoft’s US parent for clarification about the article’s publication beyond Ireland.