by David Phelan January-18-2017 in Media Law
A recent case provides a further reminder of the need to be responsible when commenting on social media websites.
A couple from Buncrana took a defamation case against a Mr Anthony Downes arising from comments he posted on their Facebook pages.
The case was settled, with Mr. Downes apologising unreservedly to the couple and the Court assessing that damages of €20,000 and €12,500 should be paid to the wife and husband respectively. In dealing with the case, Judge James O’Donoghue of Letterkenny Circuit Court said that the making of Facebook comments could be “a highly dangerous activity” and stressed the possibility for damaging comments to “result in long term hurt to families and people’s good name”.
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David Phelan
David is Head of the Commercial & Business team at Hayes solicitors and advises a number of the firm’s major corporate clients. He advises on a wide range of corporate and commercial law issues. He has expertise in advising on general corporate and commercial matters, particularly in the manufacturing, retail, aviation, sports and motor sectors, and also frequently advises clients who operate in regulated areas.