The High Court heard a defamation claim brought by Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the traditional ruler of the Yoruba people, against Irish-based blogger Esther Esabod Aboderin. Ogunwusi alleges that Aboderin's social media posts on Facebook and YouTube maliciously accused him of serious criminal offences, including human trafficking, money laundering, and ordering killings. He denies these allegations and sought injunctions under the 2009 Defamation Act to remove the material and prevent further posting. Before Mr Justice Anthony Barr, Aboderin, who represented herself, consented to interim injunctions pending the full hearing. She agreed to remove the allegedly defamatory material from her Facebook account and stated she would ask followers to remove YouTube posts, which she claimed were uploaded by others. Her defence is justification. Counsel for Ogunwusi noted that in separate proceedings last year, a Nigerian businesswoman, Rosala Uvbi Mku-Atu, also brought defamation claims against Aboderin over social media comments. Aboderin acknowledged those posts have been taken down. She stated she fears for her safety and will not return to Nigeria. The matter was adjourned for the full hearing of the action.
An 18‑year‑old man, now 22, pleaded guilty to four counts of defilement of a child in Co. Westmeath and Co. Clare for offences between July and December 2016. He first contacted a 15‑year‑old girl on Facebook in August 2015, claiming to be 16 when he was actually 17. He sent her explicit photos and encouraged her to send similar ones. They met in July 2016 at a birthday party where he repeatedly asked for oral sex and sex, which she eventually agreed to after initially refusing. They had sex on three occasions over two days, all without a condom. In December 2016, while she was at his home, her brother and cousin also attempted to force her to have sex; she refused. The girl, aged 16 at the time of the offences, gave a victim impact statement describing fear, intimidation, and feeling brain‑washed.
In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Michael White warned the jury not to consult social media and to focus solely on the evidence presented in court. The case concerns Aaron Brady, 29, who has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe and to the robbery of approximately €7,000 from Mr Pat Bellew on 25 January 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth. Prosecutors presented CCTV footage and mobile phone data linking Brady and two suspected accomplices. The data showed no outgoing calls from Brady's phone between 20:01 and 22:45 that evening, and a marked increase in call activity on 26 January. The trial continues with a jury of six men and seven women hearing the evidence presented by prosecution counsel Lorcan Staines SC.
A Facebook analyst, Abed Benchenna, aged 25, was sentenced to two years in prison without any suspended portion after failing to return from France for several months. He was found in possession of €7,500 worth of cannabis and had previously been convicted six times, including for obstructing a drug search. Benchenna had been given two opportunities by the court, including a chance to plead guilty early and provide negative urine samples, but he did not engage with probation services or notify authorities of his return from France. He claimed injuries from insect bites and a dislocated shoulder prevented his return, but the judge deemed these excuses insufficient. The court noted his failure to cooperate wasted the court's time and the probation service's resources, and he is now in custody following the bench warrant.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 59‑year‑old man was convicted of sexually assaulting a four‑year‑old girl he had babysat. The case was notable for the child's testimony, which was given and cross‑examined over nine days. The man denied the charges and was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison, with the sentence running concurrently with a six and a half year term for a second offence. Judge Elma Sheahan highlighted the egregious breach of trust, the premeditated nature of the assaults, and the psychological impact on the child, including night terrors and bed wetting. She noted mitigating factors such as the defendant's psychological vulnerability, his role as a father to a special‑needs son, and his community volunteer work, but declined to suspend any portion of the sentence because he refused to accept the verdict.
The High Court has adjourned a dispute between Wissam Al Mana, a UK-based Qatari national, and Facebook Ireland Ltd regarding an application for a Norwich Pharmacal order. Mr Al Mana, the applicant, alleges that unknown parties have published fake advertisements using his name and image to promote a cryptocurrency programme called Bitcoin Trader, which he claims is defamatory and maliciously false. He seeks details of the advertisers to pursue legal action. Although the matter was due for a hearing, the parties reached a temporary arrangement to avoid a judicial decision during the current health emergency. Mr Justice David Barniville adjourned the case to a date after the Easter holidays. He ordered Facebook to provide Mr Al Mana with basic subscriber information, IP addresses, and payment method details of the account holders within 14 days. Counsel for Mr Al Mana, Paul O'Higgins SC, accepted the arrangement under protest, arguing for a shorter ten-day deadline due to defamation time limits. Facebook's counsel, Cian Ferriter SC, stated the company was not consenting but would abide by the order, noting the 14-day period was shorter than standard and raising potential technical difficulties in retrieving initial registration data. The judge noted any compliance issues could be addressed when the matter returns to court. Janet Jackson, Mr Al Mana's ex-wife, is named in the report as context for his identity but is not a party to this specific procedural order.
A High Court judge has urged representatives of Facebook and Wissam Al Mana to resolve their differences regarding an application for information on those behind 'fake ads'. Mr Al Mana, a UK-based Qatari national, has brought proceedings over adverts which he says are wrongly and maliciously using his name and image. The adverts contain a fake news article linking him to a cryptocurrency auto-trading program, which he has nothing to do with. Mr Al Mana wants to sue both Facebook Ireland Ltd and the parties behind the adverts for defamation and malicious falsehood. As part of his action, Mr Al Mana's lawyers also seek a 'Norwich Pharmacal' order from the court. That order would require Facebook to disclose details that would allow them to identify the unknown persons that placed the ads. The application was briefly mentioned before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds at the High Court on Wednesday morning. Anna Shanley BL, for Mr Al Mana, said the sides had been in discussions concerning that order but there was an issue that remains outstanding. In reply, Cian Ferriter SC for Facebook said that one net issue remains between the parties. Ms Justice Reynolds urged the sides to continue their efforts to resolve their differences. The matter was adjourned for a week.
A High Court judge has directed that a Monaghan businessman be arrested and brought before the court over allegations he has breached orders restraining him from two properties in the county town. Mr Justice Senan Allen ruled that Fergal Deery of Drumhillock should be taken into custody by gardaí to answer alleged contempt of court. Wardglade Limited, which acquired the premises in 2015 following a receiver's sale, claimed Mr Deery breached High Court orders made that year prohibiting him from trespassing or interfering with the properties. The company alleged further breaches occurred in September and December 2019, when Mr Deery allegedly entered the properties without consent. Wardglade also claimed a campaign of intimidation against its director Ciaran Marron and others, including threats made on social media referencing Mr Marron's family. Mr Deery, who disputes the 2015 sale as fraudulent, was previously imprisoned for two weeks in July 2019 for contempt but was released after undertaking to comply with the orders.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, a 59‑year‑old man was convicted in January of two charges of sexually assaulting a four‑year‑old girl at his home between July 2016 and July 2017. The trial lasted nine days and included testimony from the child, who described being touched and licked in her genital area, and from her mother, who reported the child's distress and subsequent night terrors and school changes. Forensic evidence showed DNA from the man on the child's underwear, with a 1 in 6,700 chance of a coincidental match. The man denied the allegations, claiming the DNA was due to the child's play. His defence argued that a Facebook post naming him and his address, allegedly encouraging violence against his family, should be considered as extra‑judicial punishment. The prosecution said the post was under Garda investigation and should not influence sentencing.
At the Central Criminal Court, a jury heard text and Facebook messages exchanged between a Sligo couple in the months preceding the woman's death. Rafal Karaczyn, aged 34, of Crozon Park, Sligo, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in relation to the death of his wife Natalia Karaczyn, aged 30, at their family home between 29 April and 1 May 2018. The prosecution presented communications spanning from March 2017 onwards, depicting deteriorating relations and the accused's repeated attempts at reconciliation despite the complainant's explicit requests to be left alone. The court heard that the accused told the complainant she was "not free" and would not do as she wished. In the weeks before her death, the complainant told the accused to leave their home immediately and that he could no longer enter the house. The trial was continuing.
A UK-based Qatari businessman, Mr Wissam Al Mana, has initiated High Court proceedings in Ireland against Facebook Ireland Ltd and unknown parties responsible for alleged fake advertisements featuring his name and image. The applicant, who is the Executive Director of the Al Mana Group, claims that since May 2019, fake ads using the Facebook Ads Tool have appeared, which he alleges are defamatory and contain malicious falsehood. These ads, he says, direct users to a webpage with a fake news story purporting to be an exclusive interview with him, promoting a cryptocurrency auto-trading program called Bitcoin Trader. Mr Al Mana asserts that the ads are targeted and that the content includes false statements attributed to him. The case was briefly mentioned before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds, with the court agreeing to adjourn the matter for a week to allow discussions between the applicant's legal team and Facebook's representatives. The applicant's lawyers are seeking an order requiring Facebook to disclose information to identify the unknown advertisers. The procedural stage is hearing_or_decision.
In February 2018, 28‑year‑old Omo Delpin Omorouyi was prosecuted for possession of child pornography after she failed to delete a two‑minute video sent to her on WhatsApp. The video, which began innocently with a man and a toddler, was later revealed to depict the rape of a two‑year‑old child. Omorouyi claimed she did not know the content until she opened it and said she had deleted it, but a Garda investigation found the video still on her phone because the app automatically downloads media. She pleaded guilty and was given a suspended four‑month prison sentence by Judge Pauline Codd, who noted the lack of other convictions. The case highlighted the difficulty of deleting data from mobile devices and the impact on Omorouyi's future career prospects in child care. The adult in the video was identified as a man in Michigan, US, and has since been convicted.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 26‑year‑old Dublin man pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He denied raping a woman in April 2018, claiming he was "freaked out" and that the act was consensual. The complainant, aged in her 20s, testified that she and friends had gone to the defendant's home after a night out, where she was allegedly raped while sleeping. She said she had been unconscious and that her eyes were closed during the assault. The defendant testified that he felt the woman's pelvis moving, that they had "lazy foreplay" for about 30 minutes, and that full penetration lasted only about five seconds before another man awoke. He claimed he believed the sex was mutual and that he had apologized because he was "freaked out".
A 15‑person jury was sworn in to hear the trial of Aaron Brady, charged with the capital murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe on 25 January 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co. Louth. Brady, 28, also faced a charge of robbing about €7,000 from Mr Pat Bellew at the same location and date. Mr Justice Michael White of the Central Criminal Court explained that the trial would be lengthy, expected to finish on 28 May, with a two‑week break at Easter and no sitting on St. Patrick's Day. He warned jurors against any difficulty in serving and urged them to remain impartial, avoiding social media or internet research. The jury would ultimately consist of 12 members, with 15 sworn in to allow for possible withdrawals. The trial was set to open the following day.
Ben O'Reilly, 21, was found guilty of assaulting Fernanda de Freitas after a dispute over payment for an escort service. The trial, held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, concluded with a jury of ten women and two men convicting him of assault but acquitting him of robbery. O'Reilly had been charged with robbing de Freitas of cash and her iPhone. He was remanded on continuing bail until January 24 for sentencing. The case involved a series of messages on Grindr and WhatsApp, a meeting at de Freitas's apartment, and an alleged exchange over money. De Freitas testified that O'Reilly punched her multiple times, put his hands around her neck, and took her phone. She sustained cuts to her mouth and swollen eyes, requiring stitches. O'Reilly admitted to grabbing what he thought was his phone but later realised he had taken de Freitas's mobile. The trial ended with the assault conviction and the robbery charge dismissed. Ben O'Reilly pleaded not guilty.
Clive Mason, 43, was convicted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault causing harm after a violent, racially abusive attack on taxi driver Samuel Banjoko Johnson on Malahide Road, Donnycarney, on 21 April. Mason, who claimed to be a Garda and shouted racial slurs, punched Johnson and attempted to force him out of the vehicle. Video of the assault circulated online, prompting Mason to surrender to Gardaí the following weekend. He pleaded guilty, apologized, and cited intoxication as a factor. The court noted Mason's three prior convictions and his willingness to cooperate. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a 20‑month prison sentence, fully suspended on the condition that Mason remain law‑abiding for 20 months and comply with Probation Service directions for six months. The court also ordered a €5,000 payment to be transferred to the Garda, to be given to Johnson or a charity if he declined it.
In November 2019 the Central Criminal Court struck out contempt of court proceedings against Facebook Ireland Limited and Twitter International Company that had been brought over the sharing of the identities of the two 15‑year‑old boys who murdered schoolgirl Ana Kriegel. The injunction, originally imposed by Mr Justice Michael White on 19 June 2019 and extended by Mr Justice Paul McDermott on 26 July 2019, required the platforms to remove any photographs or material identifying the boys. The court noted that the injunction had been discharged and the proceedings struck out after the boys' sentencing on 5 November 2019, with the platforms having cooperated in removing offending material and halting its proliferation online. The court also confirmed that any breach of the injunction would constitute contempt of court and a criminal offence under the Children Act 2001.
In a trial held on 18 November 2019, Fiona Mitchell testified that on 26 May 2018 she was in her garden when a man named Robert Lawlor, whom she recognised from social media, appeared at her patio door holding a gun. Mitchell said she heard two gunshots as she fled, locked the kitchen door, and ran to her neighbour's house where she hid. She described seeing two men on a wall outside her home, but confirmed only one man was in her garden and house. Mitchell also stated that her German Shepherd, Chopper, was shot dead that night. She claimed to have heard a threat from Lawlor to kill her mother and to "take her out of misery." The case is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. Robert Lawlor pleaded not guilty.
A judge at the Central Criminal Court has warned jurors at a murder trial not to conduct independent investigations into the case. Mr Justice Alexander Owens addressed the jury hearing the case against Keith Brady, aged 32, from Cartron Estate in Sligo, who is charged with the murder of Martin Kivlehan between 2 and 3 August 2015 at New Apartments, Holborn Street, Sligo. Brady pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, though the Director of Public Prosecutions did not accept this plea and the trial for murder will proceed. The judge cautioned jurors against using internet searches, social media platforms, or map applications to research details. He warned that non-compliance would constitute contempt of court and instructed them to avoid discussing the case outside the courtroom. Evidence was set to begin the following day, with the prosecution expected to open its case at 10.30am. The trial was anticipated to last approximately two weeks.
A 17‑year‑old boy was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment for attempting to murder Stephanie Ng, a 25‑year‑old woman he met on the Whisper dating app. The boy lured Ng to an isolated spot at Sea Front, Queen's Road, Dun Laoghaire, where he strangled her until she was unconscious and then slashed her neck with a knife, leaving her for dead. Mr Justice Michael White described the attack as pre‑meditated and cold‑calculated, noting that the boy's contact with Ng on social media was intended to cause harm. The victim, who described herself as a gentle person, suffered nightmares, flash‑backs and a loss of trust. The judge cited the boy's early guilty plea, good character, lack of prior convictions, immaturity, and mental illness as mitigating factors, and noted a review of the sentence would begin on 1 January 2023. The boy was first taken into custody on 26 December 2017.
A High Court judge warned activist Ben Gilroy that he could face imprisonment if he attempts to arrest employees or agents of Start Mortgages DAC. Justice Leonie Reynolds told Gilroy that such actions could lead to charges of assault and false imprisonment, and that he had been ordered not to arrest, restrain or assault any of Start's officers, agents, lawyers or employees. The judge also cautioned that Gilroy's videos, which he posted on social media and claimed to give legal advice, could mislead viewers. Gilroy, who represented himself, said he intended to appeal the ruling and that he believed he had the right to arrest those he thought had committed fraud. He also objected to the removal of his posts, citing freedom of speech. The court reiterated that any attempt to arrest people associated with Start could result in criminal charges and that Gilroy should report alleged fraud to the Gardaí, not act on his own.
Start Mortgages DAC secured a temporary High Court injunction preventing Ben Gilroy, who contested the European Parliament Elections, from arresting, restraining or assaulting any of its current or former officers, agents, lawyers or employees. The injunction also restrains Gilroy from publishing or posting online any information relating to the home addresses or property of any of Start's current or former employees, officers, and lawyers. The orders apply to any other person who has knowledge of the orders, as well as Gilroy. Start obtained the injunction in response to videos posted on social media in which Gilroy alleged that Start is involved in fraud and called for people acting for or working with the fund to be arrested. The High Court granted the injunction on an ex‑parte basis, with the matter returnable to Friday's sitting.
A former Irish footballer, Eric Donnelly, aged 21, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for a prolonged knife assault on Ronan Collins. The incident occurred on 15 August 2018 after Donnelly, who had been drinking for up to five days following a breakup, met Collins at the latter's apartment in Stillorgan. Donnelly became aggressive, seized a dinner knife, and held it to Collins' throat while repeatedly punching him, breaking his nose. Collins fled, tripping and dislocating his knee, and was pursued by Donnelly who continued to punch him in front of a witness. Both suffered severe hand lacerations. Gardaí identified Donnelly via CCTV and his Instagram. Judge Martin Nolan, noting the prolonged nature of the assault, imposed the custodial sentence. Collins suffered lasting injuries requiring surgery and physiotherapy. Donnelly, who had no prior convictions, expressed remorse and acknowledged the truth of Collins' account. Eric Donnelly pleaded guilty.
John Matthew Berry, a non‑criminal with no prior convictions, has sued the Garda Commissioner for defamation and breach of privacy after an image of his name, photograph and address was posted on a Garda notice board in Kilmainham Garda Station. The bulletin, allegedly accessed by a contractor in March 2019, contained a highly defamatory statement that Berry claims damaged his reputation. The contractor supposedly photographed the bulletin and circulated the image via WhatsApp and online. Berry seeks damages for defamation, privacy breach, and alleged violations of the Data Protection Acts and the 2005 Garda Siochana Act. He also intends to sue the unknown photographer. Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds ordered the Commissioner to provide information that could identify the photographer, and the case will return to the High Court later this year.
Esther Esabod Aboderin, a defendant from Leixlip, Co Kildare, appeared before the High Court to address allegations of defamatory and threatening social media posts directed at applicant Rosala Uvbi Mku-Atu. Before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds, Ms Aboderin issued a sworn undertaking not to repeat any defamatory or threatening remarks regarding the applicant. Counsel for the applicant, Thomas Hogan SC, noted that while the defendant had removed her own posts, concerns remained regarding third-party content on other platforms. The defendant's counsel, Rory Kennedy BL, stated his client had complied with previous removal orders but could not control material posted by others. Consequently, the application to continue the injunction was adjourned generally, with permission granted to re-enter the matter if issues arise. The judge warned that any breach of the undertaking could result in imprisonment for contempt. The court also heard that Ms Aboderin was assaulted by unknown persons at the Four Courts on July 31, sustaining cuts and bruises, an incident requiring Garda intervention. The applicant's lawyers stated their client did not condone the assault, and a Garda investigation into that separate incident remains ongoing.
A 20-year-old defendant, who was 16 at the time of the offences, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child in Dublin on August 21 and August 25, 2015. The Central Criminal Court heard that the defendant forced a 12-year-old girl to perform oral sex on him in a public park while other youths recorded the act on mobile phones. Four days later, he allegedly coerced the victim into performing oral sex on a younger boy, threatening to distribute the recorded images if she refused. The defendant's legal team, led by Seamus Clarke SC, argued that the client believed the victim was 14 and did not realize his actions were illegal. The defendant submitted a letter apologizing to the victim, describing himself and the other boy as teenagers with little sense. Mr Justice Michael White adjourned the sentencing to October 17. Separately, the younger boy involved in the second incident was sentenced last August and ordered to complete 180 hours of community service. His defense counsel, Roisin Lacey SC, stated that the boy acted under fear of social media repercussions and had a limited understanding of consent. Neither defendant can be named to protect the victim's identity.
Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds adjourned a defamation action between Rosala Uvbi Mku-Atu and Ester Esabod Aboderin to a date later this month. The plaintiff, a London-based businesswoman, alleged that the defendant, who resides in Leixlip, Co Kildare, breached a previous High Court order by publishing a social media post in mid-August wishing her "a sudden death." Counsel for the defendant contested the alleged breach, noting that Facebook had frozen the client's account, preventing the removal of the post. The defendant also reported an ongoing Garda investigation into an assault she suffered at the Four Courts in July, where she claimed to have sustained cuts and bruises. While the plaintiff's legal team stated their client did not condone the violence, the judge expressed concern over the potential injunction breach. She directed the defendant's lawyers to immediately contact Facebook to unfreeze the account and remove the material. The judge accepted an undertaking from the defendant not to post further material about the plaintiff and warned of the serious consequences of breaching court orders. The matter was adjourned, with the judge thanking Gardaí for their attendance during the hearing.
A defamation action brought by London-based Nigerian businesswoman Rosala Uvbi Mku-Atu against Ester Esabod Aboderin was adjourned to October following a violent incident at the Four Courts. Ms Uvbi Mku-Atu alleges that Ms Aboderin, of Leixlip, Co Kildare, published defamatory and threatening social media posts regarding her businesses and reputation. During the hearing before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds, counsel for the defendant stated that Ms Aboderin had been seriously assaulted by unknown parties outside the court, sustaining cuts and bruises, and that a complaint had been made to the Gardaí. Counsel for the plaintiff, who was not present, stated his client had no knowledge of the individuals involved and did not condone the violence. The judge noted that the Gardaí were investigating the incident and agreed to adjourn the case, with existing interim orders remaining in place until October. These orders, secured previously, require the defendant to remove the alleged comments and prohibit their reporting under Section 33 of the Defamation Act. The court heard that the defendant had removed the comments from platforms under her control, though steps were being taken to address posts on other platforms. The matter was adjourned and not concluded.
Eddie Smith, 45, of Clondalkin, was sentenced by Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin to 16 months imprisonment, fully suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation for sending explicit Facebook messages to a 15‑year‑old boy on 19 June 2015. The messages, sent at 3 a.m., invited the child to have sex, including oral sex, and contained graphic remarks. Smith had no prior convictions. The judge noted the offence appeared unpremeditated, likely a spur of the moment after alcohol consumption, and considered mitigating factors such as Smith's guilty plea, his difficult personal circumstances, and his medium risk assessment by probation services. Smith was ordered to engage in victim support work, mental health services, and the Matt Talbot Community Trust, and to be added to the sex offenders register for five years. The sentencing reflected the seriousness of the impact on the victim, who now plans to move to Australia.
Gerard Flannery, a former sales manager for Nutts About Pets Ltd and Speedritedog Food Limited, settled a High Court action against his ex‑employers over posts he claimed were defamatory. In January, Flannery obtained a temporary injunction ordering the companies and owner Basil Thompson to remove online statements about him. The injunction remained while parties negotiated. On Thursday, Flannery's counsel announced the case had been settled on terms and could be struck out. The settlement made the temporary injunction permanent, requiring Nutts About Pets Ltd to delete and not republish posts on its Facebook and website made about Flannery on 7 December 2018, and to refrain from further statements concerning him or his employment. Flannery had claimed he was summarily dismissed on 7 December 2018, and the posts were said to damage his reputation. The settlement was reached after out‑of‑court talks.
Paul Fanning, 59, was jailed for six months after a vigilante group called Emerald Hunters Ireland set up fake dating‑site profiles to catch him. The group, operating a sting on Badoo, created decoy accounts for girls under 16. Fanning contacted the accounts, asking for explicit images and proposing a meeting. He arranged to meet a 13‑year‑old named Ali at Merrion Square, where vigilantes confronted him and livestreamed the encounter on Facebook. Gardaí were called and evidence of his texts was presented. Fanning denied intent to have sex but admitted he believed the girls were underage. He pleaded guilty to attempting to communicate with a child for sexual exploitation between 30 January and 11 February 2018. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to two and a half years, suspending two years on condition of therapy. The case highlighted the use of vigilante stings and the legal complexities surrounding such investigations.
Ms Justice Leoine Reynolds granted an interim injunction in the High Court in favour of applicant Rosala Uvbi Mku-Atu against respondent Ester Esabod Aboderin. The applicant, a Nigerian businesswoman residing in London, alleged that the respondent, of Leixlip, Co Kildare, had published threatening and defamatory comments on social media platforms since May. These alleged posts, which reportedly included threats to kill the applicant and calls for others to attack her, were claimed to have reached a significant audience. The respondent was not present in court on the day of the hearing, having informed the court via email that she was out of the country. The judge expressed concern regarding the seriousness of the alleged threats and the respondent's absence. Consequently, the matter was adjourned to the following week. The judge directed the respondent to provide proof of her travel, such as an airline ticket, to the applicant's legal team. The interim order directs the removal of the complained-of material from social media platforms and prohibits the respondent from publishing similar content or engaging in threatening or intimidating behaviour. Additionally, orders were made under Section 33 of the 2009 Defamation Act to prohibit the reporting of the allegedly defamatory comments. The judge emphasised that it was in the respondent's best interests to attend the next hearing.
In a hearing on 26 July 2019, Mr Justice Michael White extended an injunction that requires Facebook and Twitter to remove any photographs or other material that could identify the two fourteen‑year‑old boys convicted of murdering Anastasia Kriegel. The order, originally imposed on 20 June, will remain in force until after the boys' sentencing on 22 November. Brendan Grehan SC, speaking for the Director of Public Prosecutions, noted that the sentence hearing had been postponed to 29 October and requested that the injunction continue until the new date. Rossa Fanning SC for Facebook Ireland and Andrew Fitzpatrick SC for Twitter confirmed their cooperation and consented to the order's continuation. The injunction was issued after social media posts had circulated identifying the boys, who are known only as Boy A and Boy B, and the court emphasized the need to monitor the situation due to its sensitivity.
In a High Court hearing on 11 July 2019, Mr James Carney, a part‑owner of a horse sold in 2011, apologised to the court for social‑media posts about Goffs Bloodstock Sales Ltd. He admitted the posts were unfounded and pledged not to repeat such conduct. Carney withdrew complaints he had made to professional bodies, including the British Horseracing Authority. Goffs, represented by Robert J. Goff and Co, Goffs Bloodstock Sales Ltd, Goffs UK Ltd, and CEO Mr Henry Beeby, had sued Carney for defamation, claiming the posts damaged the firm's reputation and sought damages. The parties reached a settlement, with Carney agreeing to delete all relevant posts, remove a Twitter account, withdraw complaints to regulatory bodies, and refrain from future complaints. The judge adjourned the case with liberty to re‑enter.
During a brief court appearance, Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), expressed concern that the identification of the two 14‑year‑old boys convicted of murdering Anastasia Kriegel could "flare up" again at the upcoming sentencing hearing later this month. The boys, known only as Boy A and Boy B in the media, were convicted in June of the murder of Ana Kriegel at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on 14 May last year, and Boy A was also convicted of Ana's aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence. The DPP noted that it remains "real concerned" despite a recent period of stability following the removal of identifying images from Facebook and Twitter. On 20 June, Mr Justice Michael White imposed an injunction requiring Facebook and Twitter to remove any photos or other material identifying the boys.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Darren Weldon, 47, from Kilbarrack, Dublin, pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation called the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Prosecuting counsel Paul Greene was presented with evidence that Weldon's mobile phone contained three images, including two pictures of the late Real IRA leader Alan Ryan with the caption "heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done regardless of the consequences." Detective Sergeant Eileen Keogh, who extracted the images, acknowledged that they could have been sent to Weldon by someone else and that deleted WhatsApp conversations can leave saved images on a phone. Witnesses including Detective Inspector William Hanrahan, Garda Jude Ainsworth and Garda James Flaherty recounted encounters with Alan Ryan and Weldon in 2011 and 2012, but did not provide further evidence of wrongdoing. The trial is set to continue tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Coffey, Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Michael Walsh.
In a contempt of court hearing on 20 June 2019, Mr Justice Michael White addressed the wrongful online identification of an innocent boy as one of the convicted murderers of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. The judge urged Gardaí to pursue those who shared the identities of the two boys, Boy A and Boy B, who were convicted of the murder and an aggravated sexual assault. Under the Children Act, it is an offence to identify minors, and the court upheld an injunction requiring Facebook and Twitter to remove any material that identified the boys. Lawyers for the boys expressed concerns about threats and the safety of their families. The judge emphasised the importance of respecting the law and the integrity of the trial process, noting that the Central Criminal Court is not the forum for broader social media responsibility.
The Central Criminal Court heard that the family of one of the boys convicted of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel has been "forced into hiding" after photographs identifying the boy were posted online. Representatives of Twitter and Facebook answered contempt charges for publishing the pictures. Under the Children Act it is an offence to identify the 14‑year‑old boys, so Mr Justice Paul McDermott ordered that they not be identified. Affidavits were presented by Facebook's Market Manager, Twitter's representative, and the boy's solicitor, who confirmed the family's forced hiding.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 19 June 2019, Mr Justice Michael White warned that publishing the identities of the two boys convicted of Ana Kriegel's murder is an offence. The judge issued a contempt of court order against any person who attempts to identify the 14‑year‑old boys, stating they will be treated in the most serious fashion. He also ordered Facebook and Twitter to appear in court the following day and to remove any material that identifies the boys. Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, requested the removal of photographs and other identifying content from the platforms. The boys, referred to only as Boy A and Boy B, were convicted of murder and, in Boy A's case, aggravated sexual assault, after an eight‑week trial with unanimous jury verdicts. The court emphasised that the Children Act prohibits the identification of minors accused or convicted of a criminal offence. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Allianz secured a High Court injunction against Tessline Ltd, an Irish financial services company under Central Bank warning and Gardai investigation. Allianz alleged Tessline misled customers by presenting falsified insurance documents and social media posts claiming an insurance contract with Allianz, including a video by co‑founder Iain Cameron stating a $1 billion coverage. Allianz said it never insured Tessline and requested removal of the material; Tessline failed to comply, prompting court action. The injunction, granted by Justice Leonie Reynolds, bars Tessline from using or displaying falsified certificates linking Allianz, and from any advertising or promotional activity referencing Allianz or its trademarks. Tessline did not oppose the application. Allianz also sought orders against Google Ireland, Facebook Ireland and Pinterest Europe to remove related content, which were complied with. The case remains an ongoing fraud matter.
A 26‑year‑old man was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for raping a 19‑year‑old woman in County Limerick in November 2015. He pleaded guilty to one count of rape, intimidation of a witness and an attempt to pervert the court. The victim had been invited to the defendant's house under the pretense of a party; when she arrived alone, he raped her. Two weeks later, the defendant sent a series of threatening Facebook messages from a fake profile to the victim's sister, urging her to drop the charges. The messages included threats such as "Tell your sis she dead" and "You'll be getting killed." The victim's impact statement described lasting fear, loss of trust and sleeplessness. The judge noted the defendant's low IQ and early guilty plea as mitigating factors, but considered the intimidation an aggravating factor. The sentence was imposed with conditions preventing contact with the victim or her family.
A Fine Gael councillor, Ted Leddy, 32, who holds the Castleknock seat once held by Leo Varadkar, settled a defamation action against Sinn Féin activist Alan Donnelly. The dispute arose from Donnelly's Facebook post on 12 July 2018, which Leddy said was false, untrue, and caused him death threats and other negative comments. At the High Court, Donnelly read a statement in which he unreservedly apologized to Leddy, acknowledged the post was entirely untrue, unwarranted and without foundation, and apologized for any distress caused to Leddy, his partner and family. He also confirmed payment of €19,750, covering Leddy's legal costs, and agreed to post an apology and clarification on his social media pages. Donnelly undertook to remove all defamatory posts within 24 hours, post a statement on his Facebook newsfeed for 30 days, and cease further defamatory remarks. The court accepted the settlement terms and allowed Leddy to re‑enter the case if necessary.
In 2018, Darragh Meehan, then 19, was sentenced to six‑and‑a‑half years for online sexual exploitation and defilement of a 13‑year‑old girl. He met her via Skype, Facebook and text, exposed himself, urged her to masturbate and performed sexual acts when they met. The victim's mother reported the messages to Gardaí. Meehan pleaded guilty to one count of defilement and three counts of sexual exploitation between December 2011 and May 2012, with no prior convictions. On appeal, the Court of Appeal found the original nine‑year headline sentence too high, reducing it to seven‑and‑a‑half years, then to five years imprisonment, taking into account Meehan's good character and lack of prior Garda attention. The final year was suspended, conditional on Meehan's submission to Probation Service supervision for one year after release.
Joseph Dillon, 32, of Ballymun, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at his home on 9 February 2018 after his girlfriend was "poked" on Facebook by another man. Dillon told her to delete the man and threatened her, then struck her, knocking her to the ground, kicking her in the face and ribs, punching her repeatedly, spitting at her and calling her a tramp. He had previously hit her once, prompting her to leave for a day before returning. In court she described fractured ribs, soft‑tissue damage to her right eye and bruises all over her body, saying the assault lasted hours and she feared for her life. Dillon had no prior convictions, had sole custody of his son, and the child's mother had died in 2009. Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced him to two and a half years, suspended the final six months, and back‑dated the sentence to 27 November, the date he first entered custody.
A 54‑year‑old South African grandmother was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, with the final 15 months suspended, for illegally trafficking a nine‑year‑old child into Ireland. She flew into the country with the child, claiming to be the child's mother at immigration control, and presented a forged affidavit and birth certificate. WhatsApp messages between her and the child's father, who had abducted the child from the mother's custody, directed her on what to say at the border. The father had been living in the UK and had arranged the fake documents and €1,310 found on her. The grandmother pleaded guilty, admitted she had no knowledge that the child had been kidnapped, and expressed a desire for a romantic relationship with the father. The judge noted her lack of prior convictions and her difficult background, and imposed the suspended sentence on the condition she leave the jurisdiction and never return.
Eddie Smith, 45, sent explicit Facebook messages to a 15‑year‑old boy inviting sexual activity, claiming the boy was "hot" and offering to meet at the Gay Pride Festival. The messages, sent at 3 am, also asked about the boy's penis size and feet. The boy did not reply and showed the messages to his older sister, who contacted Smith. Smith later claimed the messages were sent by mistake to a man with the same name. Garda Paul Dempsey obtained a warrant after Smith failed to attend a trial date; he was taken to hospital and later pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation for inviting a child to sexual activity on 19 June 2015. He has no prior convictions. Judge Sinéad Ní Chulacháin remanded him on bail until 1 July, ordering a probation report to assess his risk of re‑offending and to address his mental‑health issues. The case was prosecuted by Maurice Coffey BL.
Darragh Meehan, aged 26, was sentenced to six‑and‑a‑half years in March 2018 for defiling and sexually exploiting a 13‑year‑old girl when he was 19. The victim met Meehan in December 2011, after which they communicated regularly via Skype, Facebook and text. Meehan exposed himself, masturbated on camera, and urged the girl to masturbate or penetrate herself. In March 2012 they met in a park, where Meehan asked the girl to masturbate him, kissed her, and inserted his hand into her clothes, causing her discomfort. He also requested oral sex, which she initially refused but eventually complied with briefly. The girl's mother discovered concerning messages and alerted Gardaí, leading to Meehan's identification and subsequent guilty plea to one count of defilement and three counts of sexual exploitation. He has now appealed the severity of his sentence in the Court of Appeal, arguing the headline sentence of nine years is too high.
Miriam O'Callaghan has applied to the High Court for an order directing Facebook Ireland Ltd to disclose information about the parties who paid for allegedly defamatory adverts that appeared on Facebook and Instagram in May 2018. The adverts, which used her image and name, are said to contain false and malicious claims, including that she has left her position at RTE's Prime Time to promote a skincare range that she does not endorse. O'Callaghan alleges the adverts have damaged her reputation and exploited public trust, and she seeks a permanent injunction against their publication as well as damages for defamation, unlawful appropriation of personality and breaches of her constitutional rights. The application was adjourned to a hearing before Easter, with Facebook's counsel indicating the need for time to prepare a sworn statement in response. The case remains pending, with no agreement reached on the motion.
Ben Mooney, a 22‑year‑old Dublin man, was placed on a two‑year probation bond after pleading guilty to knowingly possessing child pornography. He had used the alias "Nicole Heffernon" to contact up to 15 teenage boys via Facebook, obtaining images and videos of them in underwear, naked and masturbating. At his home, a Samsung phone held 4,000 images and 300 videos of child porn. A seized computer later yielded 476 videos (42 hours total) and 39 images, depicting children in explicit sexual acts or showing genital or anal regions. Judge Melanie Greally, after hearing evidence and a probation report, ordered Mooney to engage with the Probation Service, attend a sex‑offender treatment programme and other courses to address his addiction and educational needs. The judge remanded him on continuing bail until March 2021, noting that a custodial sentence would depend on his cooperation with the Probation Service over the two years.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 25 March 2019, a 15‑year‑old male was sentenced for attempting to murder a 25‑year‑old woman he met on the Whisper social media app. The accused had lured the victim to Dun Laoghaire's water's edge, where he choked her and slashed her neck with a knife. The victim suffered a 10‑cm midline neck laceration that penetrated her trachea, along with injuries to her thumb and arm. She was taken to St Vincent's Hospital, placed in a medically‑induced coma, and underwent emergency surgery. The court heard a victim impact statement in which the woman described the assault, her injuries, and the lasting psychological effects. The judge adjourned the case to 12 April for psychiatric reports. The accused was accompanied by his parents and had previously been in therapy for depression and suicidal thoughts. The case was brought by Paul Burns SC. The court did not disclose the final sentence. The unnamed 15-year-old pleaded guilty.