Legal proceedings against Gemma O’Doherty, who is accused of harassing the mother of a suicide victim, have been postponed until July. The deferral was requested by the legal representatives of Edel Campbell in response to an allegation made by Ms O’Doherty about the sources of funding for the plaintiff’s legal action. Ms O’Doherty, who wasn’t present at the court on Wednesday, accuses the plaintiff of violating the prohibition on third-party legal action funding, otherwise known as “champerty and maintenance”. Ms O’Doherty suggests that a fundraising event, purportedly held to support Ms Campbell’s legal fees, collected over €24,000, which Ms O’Doherty has reported to the Irish police force.
A significant number of the contributors to this fundraiser were anonymous, according to Ms O’Doherty. However, Ms Campbell’s legal team deny any misconduct and reject the allegations made by Ms O’Doherty. Ms Campbell, from Kingscourt in County Cavan, has filed a lawsuit against Ms O’Doherty, who identifies her business as “The Irish Light”, over the supposed unauthorised use of a photo of Ms Campbell’s late son, Diego Gilsenan. The picture was featured in an article by “The Irish Light”, suggesting a link between mysterious deaths and the Covid-19 vaccine.
A restraining order was granted to Ms Campbell to prevent harassment from Ms O’Doherty, who does not agree with Ms Campbell’s allegations. Ms Campbell claims that Ms O’Doherty did not comply with the order, and as a result, is seeking orders which could result in Ms O’Doherty being imprisoned for contempt of court on account of the alleged transgressions.
Ms O’Doherty categorically denies being in content of court. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey briefly referred to the case on Wednesday. Paul Comiskey O’Keeffe BL, legal representative for Ms Campbell, stated that his client requested more time to draft an additional affidavit in response to Ms O’Doherty’s allegations concerning third-party funding. Despite Ms O’Doherty’s absence from court, all parties had been duly informed that the case was scheduled for discussion.
The presiding judge indicated his readiness to permit the claimant’s side to introduce the affidavit into proceedings, but emphasised that Ms O’Doherty should have the opportunity to respond to the document before court reconvenes in early July. Noticing the absence of the defendant, the judge instructed the claimant to relay the court’s verdict about the exchange of additional statements pertinent to the case.
In a previously related incident, another justice dismissed Ms O’Doherty’s allegations of prejudice against her as a basis to desist from presiding over her contempt proceeding. On his part, Mr Justice Conor Dignam expressed satisfaction that she did not fulfil the necessary legal criteria for bias and for his need to excuse himself, he then assured that another magistrate is ready to preside over future actions related to the case.
Last year, Ms O’Doherty was subjected to an original injunction granted by Mr Justice Dignam.