Ronnie Delany’s defamation claims ruled out in Ireland

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

The High Court ruled that Ronnie Delany’s defamation claims against Qatari hotel owners could not be heard in Ireland. The proceedings were reported on 28 April 2026.

Delany alleged that letters published in Ireland defamed him and formed part of a conspiracy; the defendants denied the claims.

Justice Conor Dignam found that the court lacked jurisdiction over the claims against SEDH Vista and Gilles De Boissieu, and that procedural rules were not followed for Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani in those proceedings.

For the separate proceedings against Maybourne Hotels Ltd and three personal defendants, the judge found a good arguable case in defamation but was not satisfied that the case was a proper one for service outside the jurisdiction in the circumstances.