Judge Issues Warning to Peter Jackson About Consequences of Posting Baseless Comments Online
A High Court judge in the UK has issued a stern warning regarding the financial repercussions of posting unfounded and defamatory comments online. This warning comes after Mr. Justice Master Harvey awarded £100,000 in damages to Peter Jackson, the father of former Ireland rugby player Paddy Jackson, in a libel case against social media personality Danielle Meagher.
Background of the Case
The case stems from a tweet posted by Meagher in April 2018, in which she falsely alleged that Jackson attempted to bribe the complainant in his son’s rape trial. Paddy Jackson and fellow rugby player Stuart Olding were acquitted of all charges in March 2018. Despite their innocence, the accusations have had lasting impacts on their reputations.
Judge’s Ruling
During the ruling, Mr. Justice Master Harvey emphasized that the defamatory comments could lead to significant emotional and financial harm. He described Meagher’s assertions as “cowardly online bile” that can create real-life consequences. He further stated that there must be accountability for such irresponsible allegations.
Mr. Jackson expressed the emotional distress caused by the tweet, recalling how, at the time, his family was trying to mend the damage to Paddy’s rugby career. He described the experience as “knocked for six.” His wife, Gay, shared that the online attacks left him “crushed” and even led to a stroke earlier this year due to the stress of following Meagher’s internet postings.
Meagher’s Conduct and Future Steps
Prior to this ruling, judgment had already been ruled against Meagher when she failed to respond to the court’s summons. Mr. Justice Master Harvey noted the extensive efforts made to locate her, as she had left for the USA and remained uncooperative in addressing the legal proceedings.
“Her conduct was reprehensible,” he remarked, emphasizing that even the scale of damages should serve as a vindication for Peter Jackson. As the judge concluded, the award aims to reflect not just compensation, but also to discourage similar defamatory actions in the future.
Next Steps for Enforcement
Following the judgment, Jackson’s solicitor, Kevin Winters, confirmed plans to pursue collection of the damages from Meagher. Winters indicated that they would take legal steps across multiple jurisdictions to enforce the ruling, which stems from what he characterized as a dismissive approach from the defendant.
Even with the £100,000 judgment, Jackson remains open to reconciliation. He expressed a desire to confront Meagher directly to understand her motivations. “I would still love to meet this individual face to face,” Jackson stated, highlighting the personal nature of this ordeal.
Conclusion
This high-profile case serves as a cautionary tale regarding the serious financial consequences of posting baseless and libellous comments online. The legal outcome not only aims to vindicate the plaintiff but also raises awareness about the need for responsible online discourse.
