SF manager’s defamation case to begin in High Court
Nicky Kehoe A DEFAMATION action by Sinn Fein political manager Nicky Kehoe against RTE is expected to begin today in the High Court.
He claims he was defamed by former Labour Party TD Joe Costello during a live Saturday With Claire Byrne radio show on October 24, 2015.
He says Mr Costello falsely stated he was a member of the IRA’S army council and in that role attended meetings of Dublin City Council and directed how SF councillors would vote.
RTE denies he was defamed and insists it is not liable.
A jury was empanelled yesterday by Mr Justice Bernard Barton.
The judge said Mr Kehoe claims he was “hugely defamed” in a conversation on the programme between Mr Costello and Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin.
He added RTE did not accept this was capable of bearing the defamatory meaning Mr Kehoe claims it did, but that was a matter for jurors.
RTE also said Mr O Broin was able to “give as good as he got and defended Nicky Kehoe”. Barry Keoghan