Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1637Defamation (civil) · Co. Dublin

Businessman apologises in High Court for tweets accusing BBC NI presenter of sectarianism

Eddie Barrett, a businessman from Tralee, Co Kerry, published posts on X (formerly Twitter) between February and April 2021 accusing BBC Northern Ireland broadcaster Stephen Nolan of being involved in sectarianism and inciting hatred and violence in Belfast. Nolan brought civil defamation proceedings in 2021. On 22 May 2025, a resolution was reached between the parties and Barrett's counsel read an apology to the High Court in Dublin. Mr Justice Alexander Owens then struck out the matter.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Eddie Barrett, a businessman from Tralee, Co Kerry, published posts on X (formerly Twitter) between February and April 2021 accusing BBC Northern Ireland broadcaster Stephen Nolan of being involved in sectarianism and inciting hatred and violence in Belfast.
Where
The defamation proceedings were heard in the High Court, Dublin.
When
The posts were published between February and April 2021 and the matter was resolved on 22 May 2025.
Cause
The posts accused Nolan of sectarianism and inciting hatred and violence in Belfast.
Investigation
Stephen Nolan brought civil defamation proceedings in 2021 against Eddie Barrett.
In court
  • A resolution was reached between the parties and Barrett's counsel read an apology to the court.
  • Mr Justice Alexander Owens struck out the matter.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatEddie Barrett is a businessman from Lovers Lane, Ballyard, Tralee, Co Kerry (irishtimes.com)
  • whatStephen Nolan is a prominent BBC Northern Ireland broadcaster based in Belfast (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe posts were published on X, formerly Twitter (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe posts were published between February and April 2021 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtStephen Nolan brought defamation proceedings in 2021 against Eddie Barrett (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA resolution was reached between the parties and Barrett's counsel read an apology to the court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Alexander Owens struck out the matter (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 May2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Businessman apologises in High Court for tweets accusing BBC NI presenter of sectarianism

    Reports the resolution of the defamation case with Barrett's apology read in court and the matter struck out by Mr Justice Alexander Owens.

    victim, Stephen Nolan, male, non-irish (judged from name)Stephen Nolanaccused, Eddie Barrett, male, named, irish (judged from name)Eddie Barrett