Latest news with #libel
The Independent
13 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
Gerry Adams' ‘putting manners on BBC' remark ‘chilling', NUJ man says
Gerry Adams' claim that his libel case against the BBC was about 'putting manners' on the broadcaster has been described as 'chilling' by a senior union figure. Seamus Dooley, the Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), also said the high profile case showed the need for reform of Ireland's defamation laws, saying the public would never know why the jury made its decision. Former Sinn Fein leader Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement. A jury at the High Court in Dublin awarded him 100,000 euro (£84,000) when it found in his favour on Friday, after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. It also found the BBC's actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. Mr Adams' legal team said the verdict of the jury was a 'full vindication' for their client while the BBC said it was 'disappointed' with the outcome. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. Mr Dooley told RTE's This Week programme that it was a verdict which would make journalists 'pause for reflection'. He said: 'The first thing we should say is Gerry Adams was entitled to take his case. 'But it does have profound implications for the practise of journalism and I think it has implications both in terms of defamation law but also for me in terms of journalism in Northern Ireland and the relationship between Sinn Fein and journalists in Northern Ireland.' Speaking outside court on Friday, Mr Adams said taking the case was 'about putting manners on the British Broadcasting Corporation'. He added: 'The British Broadcasting Corporation upholds the ethos of the British state in Ireland, and in my view it's out of sync in many, many fronts with the Good Friday Agreement.' Mr Dooley said: 'I found that a chilling comment actually. He referred to putting manners on the BBC, to me that means putting them back in their box. 'The reality is that Spotlight has, for over 40 years, done some of the most amazing investigative journalism. 'Margaret Thatcher tried to ban Spotlight because of their coverage of Gibraltar Three, they exposed Kincora at the heart of the British establishment, recently they did work on Stakeknife, and in fact the Sinn Fein mayor of Derry led the campaign to save BBC Radio Foyle news service. 'I found the attitude quite chilling but also unfair and unreasonable in the circumstances.' Mr Dooley said that Mr Adams was a figure of 'huge significance' to journalists, historians and academics and had 'influenced the shape of history of Northern Ireland'. He added: 'On that basis, any journalist has a right, any academic, to question and probe.' He said the case underpinned the need for a review of defamation laws in Ireland. He said: 'First of all we need to look at the defence of honest opinion and how you square that circle in the context of journalists' right to protect sources, it is a real difficulty. 'For many years the NUJ was in favour of retaining juries. I have now reached the conclusion in defamation cases that juries are not appropriate. 'One of the reasons is we will never know why the jury reached this decision. 'If, as in Northern Ireland, had Mr Adams taken his case in Northern Ireland, the case is heard before judges, you have the benefit of a written judgment, you have the benefit of a detailed explanation of the reason why a verdict is given. 'That provides an insight and a guide. 'Here we don't know.' Mr Dooley also pointed out that proceedings in the case had been running since 2016. Former Sinn Fein member Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. In the Spotlight programme broadcast in September 2016, an anonymous source given the pseudonym Martin claimed the shooting was sanctioned by the political and military leadership of the IRA and that Mr Adams gave 'the final say'. In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing and a Garda investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Mr Adams had described the allegation as a 'grievous smear'.
BreakingNews.ie
17 hours ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Gerry Adams' ‘putting manners on BBC' remark ‘chilling', NUJ man says
Gerry Adams ' claim that his libel case against the BBC was about 'putting manners' on the broadcaster has been described as 'chilling' by a senior union figure. Seamus Dooley, the Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), also said the high-profile case showed the need for reform of Ireland's defamation laws, saying the public would never know why the jury made its decision. Former Sinn Féin leader Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson , for which he denies any involvement. Advertisement A jury at the High Court in Dublin awarded him €100,000 when it found in his favour on Friday , after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. Seamus Dooley from the NUJ said the verdict would make journalists pause for reflection. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA. It also found the BBC's actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. Mr Adams' legal team said the verdict of the jury was a 'full vindication' for their client while the BBC said it was 'disappointed' with the outcome. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. Advertisement Mr Dooley told RTE's This Week programme that it was a verdict which would make journalists 'pause for reflection'. He said: 'The first thing we should say is Gerry Adams was entitled to take his case. 'But it does have profound implications for the practise of journalism and I think it has implications both in terms of defamation law but also for me in terms of journalism in Northern Ireland and the relationship between Sinn Fein and journalists in Northern Ireland.' Speaking outside court on Friday, Mr Adams said taking the case was 'about putting manners on the British Broadcasting Corporation'. Advertisement He added: 'The British Broadcasting Corporation upholds the ethos of the British state in Ireland, and in my view it's out of sync in many, many fronts with the Good Friday Agreement.' Mr Dooley said: 'I found that a chilling comment actually. He referred to putting manners on the BBC, to me that means putting them back in their box. 'The reality is that Spotlight has, for over 40 years, done some of the most amazing investigative journalism. Representatives from the BBC speak outside Dublin High Court on Friday. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. 'Margaret Thatcher tried to ban Spotlight because of their coverage of Gibraltar Three, they exposed Kincora at the heart of the British establishment, recently they did work on Stakeknife, and in fact the Sinn Féin mayor of Derry led the campaign to save BBC Radio Foyle news service. Advertisement 'I found the attitude quite chilling but also unfair and unreasonable in the circumstances.' Mr Dooley said that Mr Adams was a figure of 'huge significance' to journalists, historians and academics and had 'influenced the shape of history of Northern Ireland'. He added: 'On that basis, any journalist has a right, any academic, to question and probe.' He said the case underpinned the need for a review of defamation laws in Ireland. Advertisement He said: 'First of all we need to look at the defence of honest opinion and how you square that circle in the context of journalists' right to protect sources, it is a real difficulty. 'For many years the NUJ was in favour of retaining juries. I have now reached the conclusion in defamation cases that juries are not appropriate. 'One of the reasons is we will never know why the jury reached this decision. 'If, as in Northern Ireland, had Mr Adams taken his case in Northern Ireland, the case is heard before judges, you have the benefit of a written judgment, you have the benefit of a detailed explanation of the reason why a verdict is given. 'That provides an insight and a guide. 'Here we don't know.' Denis Donaldson (centre) was shot dead in 2006 in Co Donegal. Photo: Paul Faith/PA. Mr Dooley also pointed out that proceedings in the case had been running since 2016. Former Sinn Fein member Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. Ireland Adams libel trial 'retraumatising' for Denis Donal... Read More In the Spotlight programme broadcast in September 2016, an anonymous source given the pseudonym Martin claimed the shooting was sanctioned by the political and military leadership of the IRA and that Mr Adams gave 'the final say'. In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing and a Garda investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Mr Adams had described the allegation as a 'grievous smear'.
BreakingNews.ie
18 hours ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Adams libel trial ‘retraumatising' for Denis Donaldson's family, lawyer says
The family of Denis Donaldson suffered retraumatisation during Gerry Adams' defamation case against the BBC, their lawyer has said. Solicitor Enda McGarrity said the family had to sit through the high-profile five-week case at Dublin High Court when their own efforts to pursue legal remedies have been 'stonewalled at every turn'. Advertisement Mr Adams was awarded €100,000 by a jury over a 2016 BBC programme which alleged he had sanctioned the murder of Mr Donaldson, a former Sinn Féin member who had been exposed as a British agent. Mr Adams had described the allegation as a 'grievous smear'. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006. Enda McGarrity said the Gerry Adams libel case against the BBC had been extremely difficult for the Donaldson family Photo: Liam McBurney/PA. In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing and a Garda investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Mr McGarrity told the RTÉ This Week programme the Donaldson family had been initially 'ambivalent' as to the outcome of the case. Advertisement He said: 'The case was seen as a sideshow in that the family was aware it wasn't the type of case which would assist them in their long and tortuous search for answers and accountability. 'But of course as the trial played out it became difficult to ignore and retraumatising in many ways. 'The family had to listen along as private and sensitive information was tossed around with little regard to the Donaldson family. 'Probably the most galling part for the family is that they've had to sit through five weeks of hearings in a case which concerned the murder of their loved one Denis Donaldson, and yet when they've tried to pursue their own legal remedies, they've been stonewalled at every turn. Advertisement 'The process has been an extremely difficult one for the family.' Now that the libel case has concluded, Mr McGarrity said focus should turn to seeking answers for the Donaldson family. He said: 'It has been a tortuous 19-year search for justice and the family acknowledge this case was ostensibly about Gerry Adams' reputation, not about uncovering the circumstances surrounding the murder of Denis Donaldson. 'However, what this case does do is shine a light on the wider, and clearly more important issue of the circumstances around Denis Donaldson's murder.' Advertisement 'The fact that the family have never had anything resembling an effective investigation into this murder highlights an uncomfortable truth for authorities on both sides of the border, particularly where legacy cases are concerned.' Mr McGarrity said the Donaldson family had been ambivalent about the outcome of the Adams libel trial. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. The lawyer said the current Garda investigation was limited to who carried out the murder, not the wider circumstances. He said: 'When we look to mechanisms which could explore those you have things like coroners' inquests, one of the practical difficulties is that the inquest has been adjourned 27 times, quite an unprecedented delay. 'It begs the question, how is justice to be delivered to the Donaldson family if the Garda investigation is only looking at a limited aspect of the murder and the coroner's inquest won't begin until that process finishes. Advertisement 'That has led the family to call for a commission of investigation to properly investigate these issues.' Mr McGarrity said there was a 'unique cross-border element' to the death of Mr Donaldson. He added: 'Who was behind it and who pulled the trigger isn't the only question. The circumstances leading up to that, how Denis Donaldson came to be exposed, how his location came to be known in Donegal, there are lots of ancillary questions. 'All of which I think the family are aware we may not get full unvarnished answers to every aspect, but at this point they haven't even got close to the truth and they deserve answers and accountability.' Ireland What Gerry Adams said during seven days of evidenc... Read More He said the Donaldson family would now be seeking a meeting with Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan. 'This family are 19 years down the line and they are no further forward. 'There needs to be a discussion and we would certainly welcome prompt engagement with the minister.'
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Gerry Adams' ‘putting manners on BBC' remark ‘chilling', NUJ man says
Gerry Adams' claim that his libel case against the BBC was about 'putting manners' on the broadcaster has been described as 'chilling' by a senior union figure. Seamus Dooley, the Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), also said the high profile case showed the need for reform of Ireland's defamation laws, saying the public would never know why the jury made its decision. Former Sinn Fein leader Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement. A jury at the High Court in Dublin awarded him 100,000 euro (£84,000) when it found in his favour on Friday, after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. It also found the BBC's actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. Mr Adams' legal team said the verdict of the jury was a 'full vindication' for their client while the BBC said it was 'disappointed' with the outcome. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. Mr Dooley told RTE's This Week programme that it was a verdict which would make journalists 'pause for reflection'. He said: 'The first thing we should say is Gerry Adams was entitled to take his case. 'But it does have profound implications for the practise of journalism and I think it has implications both in terms of defamation law but also for me in terms of journalism in Northern Ireland and the relationship between Sinn Fein and journalists in Northern Ireland.' Speaking outside court on Friday, Mr Adams said taking the case was 'about putting manners on the British Broadcasting Corporation'. He added: 'The British Broadcasting Corporation upholds the ethos of the British state in Ireland, and in my view it's out of sync in many, many fronts with the Good Friday Agreement.' Mr Dooley said: 'I found that a chilling comment actually. He referred to putting manners on the BBC, to me that means putting them back in their box. 'The reality is that Spotlight has, for over 40 years, done some of the most amazing investigative journalism. 'Margaret Thatcher tried to ban Spotlight because of their coverage of Gibraltar Three, they exposed Kincora at the heart of the British establishment, recently they did work on Stakeknife, and in fact the Sinn Fein mayor of Derry led the campaign to save BBC Radio Foyle news service. 'I found the attitude quite chilling but also unfair and unreasonable in the circumstances.' Mr Dooley said that Mr Adams was a figure of 'huge significance' to journalists, historians and academics and had 'influenced the shape of history of Northern Ireland'. He added: 'On that basis, any journalist has a right, any academic, to question and probe.' He said the case underpinned the need for a review of defamation laws in Ireland. He said: 'First of all we need to look at the defence of honest opinion and how you square that circle in the context of journalists' right to protect sources, it is a real difficulty. 'For many years the NUJ was in favour of retaining juries. I have now reached the conclusion in defamation cases that juries are not appropriate. 'One of the reasons is we will never know why the jury reached this decision. 'If, as in Northern Ireland, had Mr Adams taken his case in Northern Ireland, the case is heard before judges, you have the benefit of a written judgment, you have the benefit of a detailed explanation of the reason why a verdict is given. 'That provides an insight and a guide. 'Here we don't know.' Mr Dooley also pointed out that proceedings in the case had been running since 2016. Former Sinn Fein member Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. In the Spotlight programme broadcast in September 2016, an anonymous source given the pseudonym Martin claimed the shooting was sanctioned by the political and military leadership of the IRA and that Mr Adams gave 'the final say'. In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing and a Garda investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Mr Adams had described the allegation as a 'grievous smear'.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Zaid, 2 others lose defamation suit against Malaysian Bar
The High Court ruled that Zaid Ibrahim and two others had failed to prove their case against the defendants on a balance of probabilities. KUALA LUMPUR : The High Court has dismissed a libel suit filed by Zaid Ibrahim and two others against a former Malaysian Bar president over her statement on their conduct during Najib Razak's final appeal in the SRC International case. Justice Roz Mawar Rozain said the former law minister, who is now a lawyer, and counsel Liew Teck Huat and Rueben Mathiavaranam had failed to prove their case against the defendants on a balance of probabilities. 'The statement had not lowered their reputation in the eyes of an ordinary person,' Roz Mawar said in her oral judgment read out in court today. She also dismissed the plaintiffs' suit for conspiracy to injure and breach of statutory duty under the Legal Profession Act 1976. Lawyer Andrew Chiew, who appeared for the Bar and its then president, Karen Cheah, did not ask for costs. 'We are extending the olive branch and hope the matter ends here,' he said. Roz Mawar said while the defendants were magnanimous, nothing could stop the plaintiffs from appealing the case. Zaid, Liew and Mathiavaranam had on Sept 30, 2022, filed the suit against the Bar and Cheah for allegedly defaming them over their conduct in the appeal. They claim that a media statement, which Cheah issued on Aug 19, 2022 titled 'Abuse of process brings disrepute to our justice system', implied that they had 'undermined the justice system through unscrupulous strategies'. The statement was published by several media organisations on the same day, they said. The plaintiffs said the words in the press statement were calculated to 'disparage, besmirch and damn' them in their professional capacities as advocates and solicitors having conduct of appeals and applications in the Federal Court. Najib had on July 25, 2002 appointed Zaid's law firm to replace Shafee & Co as solicitors in his final SRC International criminal appeal before the Federal Court, with Hisyam Teh Poh Teik replacing Shafee Abdullah as lead counsel. Roz Mawar said the press statement did identify the plaintiffs and was published, but did not establish that the words, in their natural and ordinary meaning, were defamatory. She said the plaintiffs themselves had, before the publication, made multiple public disclosures, including press interviews, social media postings and commentaries. 'They had admitted their lack of readiness, criticising prior counsel and seeking adjournments which were ultimately refused by the Federal Court,' she said. Roz Mawar said she found that by Aug 19, 2022, the reputational position of the plaintiffs had already been shaped by facts in the public domain. She said the court also found no evidence to support the plaintiffs' claim of conspiracy to injure. 'There is no actionable breach (of statutory duty) or specific compensable loss that has been proven to flow from the alleged breach,' she said.
