The BBC has settled a defamation case in respect of Ryan Casey, partner of the late Ashling Murphy, following comments made about him by Irish Times journalist Kitty Holland on the BBC’s airwaves in November 2023.
A resolution of the matter was announced by lawyers for both parties at a brief hearing before Mr. Justice Alexander Owens at the High Court this morning.
Gript Media understands that a “very substantial” compensatory sum has been paid to Mr. Casey on foot of the settlement. The BBC will also contribute a six-figure sum towards Mr. Casey’s legal costs, it is understood.
The case arose after Irish Times journalist Holland made remarks on a BBC’s The View program in November 2023 justifying the lack of coverage of the victim impact statement of Mr. Casey, by broadly alleging that Mr. Casey’s words were likely to excite anti-migrant sentiment. Ms. Holland’s comments provoked significant public discussion and criticism at the time they were made. However, Gript Media understands that the BBC settlement puts an end to any legal threat to Ms. Holland, and that she does not face any personal exposure arising from today’s settlement.
After the decision to settle the case was announced at the High Court this morning, Mr. Casey made the following statement:
“Today marks the end of a long and difficult chapter of frustration and censorship.
I took this legal action against the BBC not solely out of anger, but out of a need for accountability and dignity for Ashling, for myself, our families, and for all victims who deserve to have their voices heard without such harsh criticism or judgment.
I welcome the resolution of these legal proceedings and the acknowledgements made by the BBC in their statement in open court today.
I hope this serves as a reminder to all media organisations of the high level of responsibility that comes with running such public platforms.
This was never just about me, it was about truth, fairness, and decency.
To everyone who has supported me either in person, by post, text messages, phone calls, social media posts and comments over the last three and a half years I can now finally come forward and say from the bottom of my heart thanks to each and every one of you.
Don’t think for a second I didn’t see all your amazing support across all platforms, it was humbling to say the least.
I’d like to also thank my lawyers, Ronan, Gerard and Marianne for their fantastic guidance, support and professionalism throughout this entire legal proceeding.
I now move forward, finally free to use my voice again, to honour Ashling and to advocate for the changes we desperately require in this country, for the increased safety measures we so clearly need, and for a society that listens to its people, free of gaslighting, blacklisting or censorship.
We all have a lot more in common than what separates us.
Let’s honour Ashling by building a better and safer Ireland, we all know we can do so much better.”
In a brief statement confirming the settlement, the BBC said:
“In the BBC’s 30th of November 2023 episode of the political program The View, Mr. Ryan Casey’s Victim Impact Statement at the sentencing of his late partner’s murderer was discussed.
The BBC stands by the journalism involved in the episode, which debated serious issues of public interest. The BBC however is happy to clarify that it does not consider Ryan Casey to be a criminal or a racist, or someone guilty of or attempting to incite racial hatred, or someone seeking to pose as a hero of the far right through his Victim Impact Statement.
The BBC acknowledges Mr. Casey’s personal tragedy. The statement clarifies any unintentional interference that could have been drawn from the broadcast and has enabled the BBC and Ryan Casey to resolve the matter amicably.”