Fiachra Gallagher

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Fiachra Gallagher

The Supreme Court will hear An Bord Pleanála’s appeal against a judge’s ruling that it failed to act, as far as practicable, in line with climate action law objectives when it refused planning permission for a 13-turbine wind farm in Co Laois. A three-judge Supreme Court panel said the court should hear the case as it has “potentially far-reaching consequences” and is of “systemic importance for the entire planning process”.

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Fiachra Gallagher

The defamation case taken by Gerry Adams against the BBC is a cynical attempt to launder a reputation that he was in the Provisional IRA and sat on its army counsel, a barrister has told the High Court. Paul Gallagher SC, for the BBC, made the remarks in his closing address to the jury in the former Sinn Féin leader’s action.

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Fiachra Gallagher

A Co Kerry businessman has apologised in the High Court for his social media posts accusing prominent BBC Northern Ireland broadcaster Stephen Nolan of being “involved in sectarianism” and “inciting hatred and violence in Belfast”. Mr Nolan, of Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, brought defamation proceedings in 2021 against Eddie Barrett, of Lovers Lane, Ballyard, Tralee over the posts on X, formerly Twitter, published between February and April of that year.

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Fiachra Gallagher

Senator Michael McDowell has told a jury he has not met a politician other than Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris who did not believe former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams was a member of the Provisional IRA. Mr McDowell, a former tánaiste and attorney general, was giving evidence at the High Court in the fourth week of the trial of Mr Adams’s defamation action against the BBC.

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Fiachra Gallagher

An expert witness has said a BBC programme at the centre of Gerry Adams’ defamation action against the broadcaster “probably” would not have breached British broadcasting regulations. Independent media consultant Christopher Banatvala was giving evidence at the High Court on the fourth week of a civil trial hearing into the former Sinn Féin leader’s action.