logo
Libel lawyer Paul Tweed claims book wrongly portrays him as covert agent for UAE

Libel lawyer Paul Tweed claims book wrongly portrays him as covert agent for UAE

BreakingNews.ie08-05-2025

Libel lawyer Paul Tweed has asked the High Court to strike out a defence of truth being pleaded in a defamation case he is taking against a US publisher.
Mr Tweed claims part of an academic book entitled Subversion: The Strategic Weaponization of Narratives is defamatory because it falsely portrays him as a "subversive, covert agent" of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Advertisement
The book was published by the Georgetown University Press in 2023 and written by Andreas Krieg, who teaches in King's College, London.
The court heard that Mr Tweed claims, among other things, the book falsely claims he improperly writes warning letters and/or institutes legal proceedings for the purposes of silencing voices in the West who are critical of the UAE.
It also falsely claims he is portrayed as a solicitor who uses his legal practice improperly to protect or advance the UAE political regime, he says.
The book also contains an argument about how certain countries use 'decentralised networks of a variety of actors, paid agents, wilful pawns and sometimes useful idiots' in order to mobilise information networks with the ultimate goal of undermining social, political consensus.
Advertisement
Ireland
Gerry Adams labels Spotlight allegations 'grevious...
Read More
Mr Tweed claims damages and seeks an injunction requiring the removal of the book from sale or the correcting of the allegedly defamatory paragraphs.
The claims are denied and Georgetown Press pleads the defence of truth.
On Thursday, Mr Justice Micheál O'Higgins began hearing arguments on a motion filed on behalf of Mr Tweed as to why the defence truth should be struck out or alternatively the defendant should be required to amend its defence. The defence will deliver its reply on Friday.
Mr Tweed specialises in defamation law and is representing former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams whose action against the BBC is currently at hearing in the High Court. He also represents businessman Declan Ganley in a case against the US news broadcaster CNN which has yet to be heard.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rent pressure zones: What are they and why are there calls for reform?
Rent pressure zones: What are they and why are there calls for reform?

BreakingNews.ie

time2 hours ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Rent pressure zones: What are they and why are there calls for reform?

The Government is examining whether to abolish Ireland's current system of rent caps. Rent pressure zones (RPZ) were introduced in 2016 to help control spiralling costs for tenants. Advertisement The regulations, which apply to certain areas of high demand for housing, are due to expire on December 31st. Here is everything you need to know about RPZs, and what the Government might do next. What are rent pressure zones? The RPZ system was introduced in 2016 to cap rent increases in areas where there is high demand for housing and rental homes. An area designated as an RPZ has annual rent increases capped at 2 per cent or at the rate of inflation, whichever is lower, even if there is a change of tenant. Advertisement However, not all rented properties in RPZs are subject to rent caps. Landlords can be exempt from the rent caps if the property has not been rented for a period of two years or if it has undergone a "substantial change in the nature of the accommodation". Where are rent pressure zones? RPZs now cover most of the country – 111 of the State's 166 local electoral areas are under the rent cap system. Many of the major towns and cities in the Republic are RPZs, along with touristic areas such as Killarney, Westport and Connemara. Castlebar in Co Mayo and Tullow in Co Carlow are the latest areas to become RPZs. Advertisement Why would the Government want to scrap rent pressure zones? There is concern within the Government that RPZs have negatively impacted the level of private investment in housing developments, amid increasing pressure to meet new-build targets. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are under increasing pressure to tackle the State's housing crisis after it emerged that 30,330 homes were built last year, far short of the projected 40,000 new builds put forward by the parties. The debate over RPZs also stems from a report by the Housing Commission that recommended a new form of rent control. The report published in May last year said landlords had been constrained by the RPZ regime and reported a lack of policy certainty and diminished net rental returns. Advertisement It also highlighted that tenants were still experiencing affordability challenges due to historically high rents, while those seeking to find rental accommodation were met with low availability. The commission said the evidence for the effectiveness of the RPZ system was "mixed", and suggested that rent regulation needs to be made fit for purpose for the longer term. The report said the Government should regulate market rents fairly and effectively by reforming current regulations and establishing 'reference rents'. This would replace RPZs with a system that pegs rent to local dwellings of a similar quality. Advertisement In the proposed new system, the reference rent rate would be reviewed at regular intervals and rent would not rise more than a certain percentage above this reference rent over a specific period. This rent regulation would continue to transfer between tenancies, so that if a tenancy ends the same regulations apply to the subsequent tenancy, discouraging the termination of tenancies purely to increase rental income. This new form of rent control would apply across the country, not just in specific zones. What proposals are the Government considering? The Government is now considering tying certain rents to the rate of inflation. Under the proposals, the current RPZ annual caps would not apply to new buildings constructed after a certain date and rents in the newbuilds would instead be linked to inflation. The proposal to get rid of the RPZ cap for newbuilds and tie the rent level to inflation is aimed at increasing private sector investment to deliver more housing. The current 2 per cent rent increase cap would remain in place for existing tenancies, though landlords would be able to change the rents between tenancies, which is currently not permitted. The changes to the RPZ system would be accompanied by enhanced protection for renters in relation to security of tenure amounting to a minimum of six years. There would be a restriction on no-fault evictions during this six-year period – a measure that will require legislation. The landlord would be allowed to reset the rent every six years to the market rate. When will the Government make its decision? Asked on Wednesday when a decision on the future of RPZs would be made, Taoiseach Micheál Martin told reporters: 'I would expect sometime in the next week.' The Taoiseach said the decision will be part of a number of steps towards increasing housing supply, including attracting institutional investors to the sector. 'There'll be further measures taken next week in relation to housing,' he said. 'It's not any one measure that is a silver bullet. It's the cumulative impact of all of them that will lead to an increase and an acceleration of timelines around getting housing units complete.' Coalition leaders are expected to consider the proposals for reforming the RPZ system when they meet on Monday in advance of a final decision on the plans due to be brought to Cabinet by Minister for Housing James Browne on Tuesday. What is the reaction from politicians, experts and industry? Opposition parties have widely criticised any proposals to phase out RPZs. Sinn Féin's housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin said said any move by the Government "to allow landlords to increase the rent burden on tenants – a rent burden that is already far too high – will be strongly resisted." He said the proposed changes Sinn Féin would create a 'four-tier rental market', with different rent-setting and eviction rules for four types of tenants depending on whether or not they live in RPZs, when their tenancies begin, and when their homes were built. Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne said the housing crisis had deepened into a 'social catastrophe' and disaster'. He said his party would be 'actively and vociferously' opposing any attempt to remove rent caps. Lorcan Sirr, a housing lecturer at Technological University Dublin, criticised the suggested change to rental controls, telling The Irish Times that if stability was what the market needed, this in itself was 'policy flip-flopping'. Meanwhile, Eddie Byrne, chief executive of Irish Residential Properties REIT (IRES), which owns about 4,000 homes in Dublin and Cork, welcomed the Government's efforts for reforms that could boost the supply of rental properties while also protecting renters. Michelle Norris, director of the Geary Institute for Public Policy at UCD and member of the Housing Commission, said the majority of members in the commission agreed Government should regulate rents but that the RPZ system needed to be reformed so that there was stability in regulation and a move away from constant change. Ireland Rent pressure zones decision due within a week, sa... Read More The enforcement of any regulation was a key concern of the commission, Prof Norris told The Irish Times, as well as a move away from a 'flat' rate regulation of rent. 'Other European countries have rent regulations that are linked to a reference rent being charged for similar properties in that location that are of a similar quality and size.' John Mark McCafferty of housing charity Threshold said that without RPZs tenants would likely face substantial rent increases, pushing them into financial distress and 'even possible homelessness'. Irish Property Owners' Association chairwoman Mary Conway expressed concern at the potential for a 'two-tier market' with 'old rents versus new rents coming in'.

Justice Minister voices concern over time taken to find Tina Satchwell's body
Justice Minister voices concern over time taken to find Tina Satchwell's body

BreakingNews.ie

time11 hours ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Justice Minister voices concern over time taken to find Tina Satchwell's body

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has raised concern with the Garda Commissioner over how long it took to find the body of murder victim Tina Satchwell. Jim O'Callaghan also said it would be preferable if An Garda Síochána had its own cadaver dog to help find human remains. Advertisement He said there is currently just one cadaver dog on the island of Ireland which belongs to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has raised concerns (Brian Lawless/PA) It was announced last week that both the investigation into the murder of Mrs Satchwell, and of Co Kerry farmer Michael Gaine, will be reviewed. A report is to be compiled and given to Mr O'Callaghan on Mrs Satchwell's disappearance while the case of Mr Gaine is undergoing a peer review. Speaking on RTÉ Radio One's This Week programme, Mr O'Callaghan said he had his quarterly meeting with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris last week and brought up the murder of Mrs Satchwell. Advertisement 'I think from the outset it has to be said that gardai deserve to be commended for getting justice in this case,' he said. 'The person responsible for her murder, Richard Satchwell, is now serving a life sentence. 'However I did raise with the commissioner concern about the fact it had taken a considerable period of time to find her body and he said he is going to prepare a report on that.' It took six years before Mrs Satchwell's body was found. Advertisement Mr O'Callaghan pointed out there are 'very devious people out there who go to very great lengths to hide their crimes'. 'That was the case with Richard Satchwell, and it is also the case with the person responsible for the murder of Mike Gaine who hasn't yet been apprehended,' he said. Asked whether a cadaver dog should have been brought into the Satchwell home in 2017 during the investigation, Mr O'Callaghan said 'probably, it should have happened'. He said he also spoke to Mr Harris about the effectiveness of cadaver dogs. Advertisement 'They're a very specialised dog in terms of trying to train them, there is one on the island of Ireland, the PSNI has one,' he said. 'That dog is sought by many police forces in Britain as well. We got the use of the dog here and he was of much assistance. 'It obviously would be preferable if we had a cadaver dog. They have a very limited work life, cadaver dogs, they're only operational for a period of about three years, they have to go through a very difficult training process. 'It would be preferable if the cadaver dog available on the island had been used earlier.' Advertisement

College students use legal tactic to block people in real life
College students use legal tactic to block people in real life

Daily Mail​

time13 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

College students use legal tactic to block people in real life

Colleges across the United States are experiencing a new epidemic of in-person blocking on campus, as 'No-Contact Orders' become a familiarity among students. Carnegie Mellon University, Lafayette College, and Georgetown University, are just a handful of institutions that adopted the 'No-Contact Order,' which keeps students in conflict from interacting. NCOs became more widely available in 2011 as a way to protect students who were victims of sexual harassment or assault without having to endure the legal system. Now, students are using NCOs far differently as the relaxed phrasing standards have made them easily accessible for a range of relationship troubles. Roommate spats, failed friendships, or bad breakups have become the new targets of the orders. Howard Kallem, a former attorney at the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights and administrator at both Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill, told the Wall Street Journal: 'At least at Duke, it wasn't hard for a student to request a no contact order and get one. 'They were considered non disciplinary, and the standards weren't particularly high.' At Carnegie Mellon, for example, a student can get an NCO by claiming to be 'the recipient of persistent unwanted or harassing contact by another student,' including 'indirect contact through third parties'. At Tulane University, the orders are 'based on the right of every Tulane community member to avoid contact with another community member if such contact may be harmful or detrimental'. And while the orders are not disciplinary, it is noted that 'a violation of this order could result in an immediate interim suspension' and conduct charges against you. One Tulane student received notice that an order had been placed against her, and she was sent into a panic. May, who asked to be identified by her middle name, told the WSJ that she and her roommate hadn't got along well. She said her roommate told her it was her 'life goal to sabotage someone'. But after hearing that May didn't like her, the roommate posted a note telling her to change rooms immediately. Several days later she received the order, which resulted from her ex-roommate telling administrators that she feared for her safety. For their next four years, they stayed well clear of each other. 'It was like a bad breakup,' May told the outlet. 'This person used a system that is supposed to do good in the world and used it against me,' she added. Some schools, such as Bentley University, cite 'psychological harm' as a valid reason for an order. Others, such as Carnegie Mellon, say 'problematic interactions' can constitute grounds for an order. Sociology professor, David R Karp, told the outlet: 'Schools hand them out like candy. We generally know that students are increasingly fragile and conflict-averse, which leads to an increased desire to request a no contact order.' One administrator at a public university said that the new generation of students tend to view other people as either hurtful or helpful with very little wiggle room. Younger generations have also become much more accustomed to therapeutic buzzwords and 'self-care,' often leading to an increased culture of black and white labels and quick reactions with shallow understanding. Many have said the increase in NCOs have come in the last eight to ten years, as political polarization, social justice movements and increased discussions on mental health and societal issues has increased. Several schools have seen many NCOs being created in relation to race, ethnicity, religion and political issues. One student, Dylan Jacobs, said he received an order in 2024 which kept him from contacting any member of the campus Students for Justice in Palestine. According to Jacobs and the Anti-Defamation League, which filed a letter on his behalf, the order put Jacobs at risk for disciplinary action as he had no way of knowing every member of the organization, WSJ reported. Many have grown concerned that the new use of the orders could create the 'weaponization' of Title IX policies. The fears grew after two student journalists were served NCOs after covering pro-Palestinian protests. Brian Glick, the president-elect of the Association of Student Conduct Administration, told WSJ: 'I've been in this field for 20 years, and the desire for administrative intervention has increased just as the number of students saying, "I am feeling unsafe" has increased.' Caroline Mehl, co-founder and executive director of Constructive Dialogue Institute said: 'This generation of college students grew up in an echo-chamber world where they could block or filter out voices they disagree with. 'They're bringing online communication norms to the real world.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store