The Indo Daily: Behind Closed Doors
This is the story of how the disgraced landlord Christian Carter was outed for failing to pay taxes. But instead of issuing an apology or an explanation for his actions, he took aim at the journalist – the Irish Independent's Amy Molloy - who reported on his activities.
She said. 'I got a call from my editor, Gareth Morgan, who had just received a phone call from a court reporter stating that Christian Carter was in the Dublin District Court and he had actually filed for a restraining order against me after I recently made some inquiries about his tax debts.'
Carter had claimed that Ms Molloy had been 'stalking and harassing him for years' and that the restraining order he had sought would mean that she 'could not write an article about him for a period of five years'.
Today on the concluding episode of 'Behind Closed Doors', we go behind the headlines of the court case and hear what happened when Amy Molloy took to the witness stand to give her evidence.
'Back in 2017, I was spending hours chatting to our lawyers, going through everything and having to make sure all my T's were crossed and my I's were dotted. And then here I was in 2025, sitting in a witness box defending a restraining order application. It just seemed absolutely crazy to me,' she said.
As Carter attempted to keep his name out of the spotlight, little did he realise that his previous text messages would be revealed in court and cast a shadow over who actually was the true victim in this legal battle.
Today we bring you the concluding episode of Behind Closed Doors, the two-part special from The Indo Daily. Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Amy Molloy, Social Affairs correspondent with the Irish Independent, and by Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at Mediahuis Ireland, to hear the evidence that Amy gave from the witness stand, and to explain the verdict from the judge and its ramifications for the freedom of the Irish press.
The Indo Daily: Behind Closed Doors | Ep 2-When texts become testimony
Listen to episode 1 here:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
33 minutes ago
- The Journal
Grandmother handed three-year restraining order over online abuse of daughter and grandchildren
A JUDGE HAS imposed a three-year restraining order on a Dublin grandmother, barring her from posting online about her daughter after she allegedly harassed her and wished death on her grandchildren. The young woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, resorted to using anti-stalking laws and applied for the order at Dublin District Court. However, her estranged mother did not attend the scheduled hearing to contest the claims against her. 'My mother is harassing me,' her adult daughter told Judge Anthony Halpin, adding that she had been subjected to online abuse, including 'she hopes my kids die'. Asked why this happened, the woman, in her twenties, explained that she had been taken into care when she was young and there had been a fractured relationship since. She told the court that the posts started nine weeks ago after five years of no contact. Advertisement The woman believed her mother was 'retaliating for having no contact with or access to her grandchildren'. On reviewing printouts of the posts, Judge Halpin stated he was satisfied the woman had made a reasonable case for a civil restraining order barring unwanted contact and online posts about the applicant. He held that it was appropriate to compel the respondent from harassing or placing her daughter in fear. Judge Halpin said gardaí would serve the order on the grandmother, and the court had a wide range of sanctions available if she broke the terms. Breaching them can result in the subject of the order being brought to court, jailed for up to a year and a maximum €4,000 fine. The restraining orders were introduced in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 as a remedy for people seeking protection. The District Court may issue an order to prevent the respondent from violence or threats, stalking, harassing or approaching the applicant's home, work, or school. It can run for up to five years, but may be shorter depending on the presiding judge's assessment.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Do right thing Donald Trump' – Enormous ‘Free Palestine' message scrawled in sand at Doonbeg as plea issued for US pres
AN enormous 350-foot wide message reading "Free Palestine" was scrawled in the sand at a beach in front of US President Donald Trump's golf resort in Co Clare this week. A trio of activists wrote the temporary message in response to Israeli attacks in 3 'Free Palestine' message in the sand near Trump's hotel Credit: Sean Corcoran 3 Each letter in the sand art stood at about 40 foot tall Credit: Sean Corcoran Sean Corcoran, who worked alongside two friends to create the sand art on Doughmore Strand in He told RTE: "Israel's actions are being made possible by the USA and other countries who continue to supply them military equipment." Sean continued: "I chose the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg as a poignant location for this installation. I thought I would use the privilege I am afforded in this democracy to voice my opinion. "I believe a turning point has been reached and politicians will need to start responding to growing public outrage. READ MORE IRISH NEWS "The USA and other countries need to stop supporting Israel. "We all need to insist on a ceasefire. Do the right thing Each letter in the sand art, which Sean's friends James Corcoran Hodgins and Caoláin Power assisted him with, stood at about 40 foot tall. But Sean, who is a regular visitor to the US on art projects, admitted that the message at Donald Trump's golf course in Ireland could land him in trouble if he tries to return to America. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN He said: "If the Trump administration decided that my opinions and actions on the sand are anti-Semitic, it's possible that I would be detained or deported if I try to return." Moment dozens of pro-Palestine protesters are arrested at gates of Government The for Irish people heading to the US in general has not changed , Simon Harris previously confirmed. However, the Tanaiste said that this advice will be kept "under constant review". He added that people have seen "scenes from across America in terms of protest", specifically when it comes to He said: "It's important when you go to any jurisdiction to consider the local situation, the local laws, to consider if what is acceptable in Ireland is acceptable in the country that you are visiting and to also know, specifically in relation to the TRAVEL RISK The in Ireland, which represents over 350,000 students, has The USI said: "While activism is a vital part of student life and a right that should be protected, it is important that students fully understand the possible consequences for their visa status, including the risk of deportation, and take steps to safeguard their participation in such activities." Separately, A US- and Israeli-backed group handing out aid in Gaza said all its distribution sites were closed until further notice. The group urged residents to stay away from these venues "for their safety" after a series of deadly shootings. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said that a reopening date would be announced at a later time. 3 Sean Corcoran worked alongside two friends to create the sand art on Doughmore Strand in Doonbeg Credit: Sean Corcoran
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Jury selection begins in rape trial of Irish firefighter Terence Crosbie
latest | Clodagh Meaney Today at 09:45 Jury selection has begun in the rape trial of Irish firefighter Terence Crosbie. It's alleged he raped a woman at a Boston hotel during St Patrick's Day weekend celebrations in the city last year.
