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. 5691Contempt of court · Co. Cavan

Contempt of court proceedings against Gemma O'Doherty adjourned to July

Gemma O'Doherty faces contempt of court proceedings over alleged harassment of Edel Campbell, the mother of a young man who took his own life; Ms Campbell is of Kingscourt, Co Cavan. O'Doherty, who was not in court, has claimed Campbell breached the law on third-party funding over a fundraiser that allegedly raised more than €24,000, and has reported the matter to gardaí, while Campbell's side denies any wrongdoing. The matter was mentioned before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. The proceedings were then adjourned to a date in July 2024 so Campbell's lawyers could address the funding claim.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court12 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Contempt of court proceedings were brought against Gemma O'Doherty over alleged harassment of Edel Campbell.
  • Edel Campbell is the mother of a young man who took his own life.
Where
Edel Campbell is of Kingscourt, Co Cavan.
When
The matter was mentioned before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey on Wednesday, 12 June 2024.
In court
  • Gemma O'Doherty was not in court on the day the matter was mentioned.
  • Mr Justice Conor Dignam said another judge can be available to hear further matters in the action.
  • The contempt proceedings were adjourned to a date in July 2024.
  • The adjournment was sought so Campbell's lawyers could address the funding claim, and the plaintiff's side sought time to produce a sworn statement.
Charges
O'Doherty claims Campbell has broken the law on third-party funding of legal actions, known as champerty and maintenance.
Other details
  • A fundraiser, allegedly for legal expenses, reportedly raised more than €24,000, and O'Doherty said many donors were anonymous.
  • Campbell's side denies any wrongdoing and rejects O'Doherty's claims.
  • A photo was used in a Light article linking unexplained deaths to the Covid-19 vaccine.
  • Diego Gilsenan is listed as a victim in the case record, and the sources give no further detail about him.
Investigation
O'Doherty has reported the fundraiser matter to gardaí.
3 statements extracted from the articles
  • courtThe matter was mentioned before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey on Wednesday (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Conor Dignam said another judge can be available to hear further matters in the action (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe photo was used in an Irish Light article linking unexplained deaths to the Covid-19 vaccine (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Jun2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Contempt of court proceedings against Gemma O’Doherty adjourned to July

    Reports the adjournment of the contempt proceedings to early July 2024, the plaintiff's side seeking time to produce a sworn statement on the third-party funding issue, and O'Doherty's absence from court.

    accused, Gemma O'Doherty, female, named, irish (judged from name)Gemma O'Dohertyvictim, Edel Campbell, female, irish (judged from name)Edel Campbellvictim, Diego Gilsenan, male, non-irish (judged from name)Diego Gilsenan