The Irish Times apologises over website comments

The Irish Times has apologised to a consultant psychiatrist who brought defamation proceedings over comments posted on the newspaper’s website.

The High Court in Dublin heard that Professor Patricia Casey had resolved her dispute with the newspaper over comments posted on an article in July 2013.

She thanked her solicitor, Kevin Brophy of Brophy Solicitors, for his “informed and prudent” advice during the case.

As part of the settlement, Cian Ferriter SC, acting for The Irish Times, read out an apology on behalf of the newspaper.

It read: “In the summer of 2013, The Irish Times published on its website a series of articles relating to the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill which, at that stage, was progressing though the Houses of the Oireachtas.

“In the comment section beneath the articles that were published on the Irish Times website, two anonymous members of the public made comments stating that Professor Patricia Casey was an unprofessional psychiatrist who was unfit to treat suicidal pregnant women.

“The comments also asserted that Professor Casey misrepresented psychiatric research in order to promote a Catholic agenda.

“The Irish Times accepts that the comments made about Professor Casey were untrue. The Irish Times recognises that Professor Casey is a psychiatrist of the highest integrity and professionalism.

“We apologise to Professor Casey for the distress caused to her as a result of the comments made on the Irish Times website.”

In a statement issued after the apology was read out Prof Casey said: “I am personally very pleased with the outcome.”

She added: “Defamatory comments would not be permitted to appear in the letters pages of newspapers so why should they be allowed to appear in the comments sections of the online editions of those same newspapers?”