RTÉ to contribute to Nicky Kehoe’s costs

Sinn Féin political manager awarded €3,500 last month over comment made on ‘Saturday with Claire Byrne’

A High Court jury made an overall award of €10,000 for the defamatory comment made by former TD Joe Costello on the show in which Mr Costello alleged a former IRA chief of staff was directing Sinn Féin members of Dublin City Council how to vote.
A High Court jury made an overall award of €10,000 for the defamatory comment made by former TD Joe Costello on the show in which Mr Costello alleged a former IRA chief of staff was directing Sinn Féin members of Dublin City Council how to vote.

The High Court has made no order as to the legal costs in Sinn Féin political manager Nicky Kehoe’s defamation case against RTÉ in which he was awarded €3,500.

However, RTÉ has agreed to make a contribution to Mr Kehoe’s costs.

Mr Kehoe, a former IRA member, was last month awarded €3,500 against RTÉ over a Saturday with Claire Byrne radio broadcast in October 2015, following a hearing lasting seven days.

A High Court jury made an overall award of €10,000 for the defamatory comment made by former TD Joe Costello on the show in which Mr Costello alleged a former IRA chief of staff was directing Sinn Féin members of Dublin City Council how to vote.

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The jury found the national broadcaster was 35 per cent liable for the defamation while Mr Costello was 65 per cent at fault. However, as Mr Kehoe did not sue Mr Costello, there was no judgment against him.

The jury found the broadcast was defamatory because it meant he was not a fit person to be involved in the democratic process. On Monday, Mr Justice Bernard Barton was told the parties were seeking no order as to costs.

This article was edited on Friday, April 27th