Thursday 5 November 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. 26616Defamation; conspiracy; infliction of loss by unlawful means · Co. Dublin · 13 Apr 2021

Dublin High Court grants permission to serve defamation and conspiracy claim

Ronnie Delany, a businessman from Dublin 2, claims letters published on 13 April 2021 by Maybourne Hotels Ltd and its CEO Marc Socker defamed him as part of a conspiracy. The claim also names Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, and Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabber Al Thani, a Qatari businessman and politician, who jointly own the economic interest in the hotel group. Delany seeks damages for defamation, conspiracy, and infliction of loss by unlawful means, plus an injunction against republication. On 30 May 2022, Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds at the High Court granted permission to serve notice of the proceedings on all four defendants, who reside outside the jurisdiction.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court30 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Delany claims letters published on 13 April 2021 contained material that defamed him and were published as part of a conspiracy against him.
  • The claim is against Maybourne Hotels Ltd, which owns and operates The Berkeley, Claridge's, and The Connaught hotels in London, and its CEO Marc Socker.
  • The claim is also against Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, and Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabber Al Thani, a Qatari businessman and politician, who jointly own the economic interest in the hotel group.
Where
Delany has an address at Chatham Street, Dublin 2, and the defendants reside outside the jurisdiction; it is hoped they will be served at the group's registered address in Knightsbridge, London.
When
The letters were allegedly published on 13 April 2021.
Charges
Delany seeks damages including exemplary and punitive damages for defamation, conspiracy, and infliction of loss by unlawful means, plus an injunction preventing republication.
In court
  • The matter was mentioned before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds at the High Court on 30 May 2022.
  • The judge granted the plaintiff permission to serve notice of the proceedings on the defendants.
Other details
  • Paddy McKillen, a former shareholder and consultant to the group, was a recipient of the letters and had been involved in a legal battle with the Barclay Brothers over the group.
  • The Barclay Brothers' interests in the group were subsequently acquired by the Qataris.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe claim is against Maybourne Hotels Ltd, which owns and operates The Berkeley, Claridge's and The Connaught hotels in London. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe claim is also against Marc Socker, the group's Chief Executive Officer. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe claim is against Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe claim is against Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabber Al Thani, a businessman and Qatari politician. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe Qatari defendants jointly own the economic interest in the hotel group. (rte.ie)
  • whatDelany claims the letters contained material that defamed him. (rte.ie)
  • whatDelany alleges the publication of the letters occurred as part of a conspiracy against him. (rte.ie)
  • whereRonnie Delany has an address at Chatham Street, Dublin 2. (rte.ie)
  • whereIt is hoped the defendants will be served in the UK at the group's registered address in Knightsbridge, London. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe letters were allegedly published on 13 April 2021. (rte.ie)
  • chargeDelany seeks damages including exemplary and punitive damages for alleged defamation, conspiracy, and infliction of loss by unlawful means. (rte.ie)
  • chargeDelany seeks an injunction preventing the defendants from republishing the letters. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe matter was mentioned before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds at the High Court on 30 May 2022. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge granted the plaintiff permission to serve notice of the proceedings on the defendants. (rte.ie)
  • otherAll four defendants reside outside the jurisdiction. (rte.ie)
  • otherPaddy McKillen had been a shareholder in the group and a consultant to the group. (rte.ie)
  • otherMcKillen had been involved in a lengthy legal battle with the Barclay Brothers over the group. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe Barclay Brothers' interests in the group were subsequently acquired by the Qataris. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 May2022
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Man takes claim against UK hotel owners, Qatari royalty

    First mention of the case at the High Court; Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds granted the plaintiff permission to serve notice of proceedings on all four defendants, who reside outside the jurisdiction.

    victim, Ronnie Delany, male, irish (judged from name)Ronnie Delanyaccused, Marc Socker, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Marc Sockeraccused, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, male, Qatari, named, non-irishSheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thaniaccused, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabber Al Thani, male, Qatari, named, non-irishSheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabber Al Thani