Fast track hearing for journalists’ online harassment claim

A judge in Dublin has agreed that two journalists should have their online harassment claims expedited to a full hearing within weeks.
By Mark Rainey
Published 14th May 2021, 16:43 BST
Updated 14th May 2021, 16:47 BST
Journalist Allison MorrisJournalist Allison Morris
Journalist Allison Morris

The applications were made on behalf of Allison Morris and Aoife Moore at Dublin’s High Court on Friday.

The Phoenix Law solicitors acting for the journalists said: “In two separate applications, heard together, they sought an Order for an expedited hearing in respect of seeking disclosure of the details of the users to whom persistently targeted, harassed and defamed them on the social media platform Twitter.”

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The complaints relate to messages posted on one particular Twitter account, apparently operated by a number of people including former Sunday Independent journalist Eoghan Harris.

At the full hearing – listed for June 4, 2021 – lawyers will seek ‘Norwich Pharmacal’ orders, compelling both Twitter and Mr Harris to identify those behind the offending posts on the popular social media platform.

READ: Allison Morris to take legal action in bid to reveal Twitter trolls

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