Lecturer pays ‘substantial’ settlement to ex-Bord Pleanála director over tweets

High Court Reporters

A university lecturer has paid a “substantial” settlement to a former An Bord Pleanála director after admitting to posting a series of defamatory tweets about her, the High Court has heard.

Rachel Kenny, formerly Director of Planning at An Bord Pleanála, brought defamation proceedings against Gavin Daly over several Twitter posts published between June 26th and 27th, 2023 – including one accusing her of bringing “disrepute” on the planning profession.

Tom Hogan SC, appearing with John Kerr BL for Ms Kenny, and instructed by Ferrys Solicitors, on Tuesday told Mr Justice Alexander Owens the case had settled, and could be struck out with no further order.

As part of the settlement agreement, Lewis Mooney BL, for Mr Daly, read an apology on his client’s behalf to the court.

“I falsely accused falsely accused Ms Kenny of wrongdoing, and having brought total disrepute on the planning profession,” the apology said.

“I wish to acknowledge and confirm that my attack upon Ms Kenny’s character and professionalism was without any foundation, grossly unfair and should never have been made.”

The apology confirmed that Mr Daly had paid the plaintiff a “substantial" sum in compensation “for the upset and damage caused to her reputation, together with her legal costs”.

“I deeply regret not having done so sooner but I would now like to apologise without reservation to Ms Kenny for the damage and distress caused to her by my words,” the apology continued.

In the apology, Mr Daly, of Coke Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7 said that his tweets had drawn attention to an Irish Examiner article relating to Ms Kenny’s tenure as Director of Planning at An Bord Pleanála.

In her proceedings, Ms Kenny, of St Andrew’s Grove, Malahide, had claimed that as a result of Mr Daly’s tweets, her reputation was seriously injured, and that she suffered loss, damage, embarrassment and expense.