Mary Lou McDonald defamation case settles over tweet

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

Mary Lou McDonald’s defamation case against Declan Breathnach was settled at the High Court on 9 July 2020. The proceedings concerned a tweet published by Breathnach in October 2018, after McDonald had expressed support for former Garda sergeant Maurice McCabe. Breathnach apologised in court for accusing McDonald of hypocrisy and of condoning murders. He said he regretted the allegations and retracted them in full.

The financial and other settlement terms were confidential. Counsel told the High Court that the matter was adjourned for mention in August, when final orders could be made. McDonald had sought damages and an injunction over what she alleged was a defamatory publication.