Speaking at the close of his defamation action on Friday, Mr Burke told the High Court the newspaper made a “grave and serious libel” and defamed him in an October 2022 article about his movement within prison. The defendants deny Mr Burke was defamed by the article but acknowledge “minor” errors occurred. Senior counsel for the defendants, Ronan Lupton, submitted there is an “elephant in the room” in that Mr Burke comes from Mountjoy to vindicate his good name. Cross-examining, Mr Burke asked her if she accepts that it was false to say he was moved for his own safety. In his closing submissions to the court, Mr Burke said the way the defence has been conducted has led to the defamation “percolating” again during the trial.

Source: The Herald May 03, 2024 18:36 UTC