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. 3355Breach of rights (fair procedures, good name and reputation) · Co. Dublin · 14 Apr 2026

Former Labour TD Joe Costello sues RTÉ over failure to notify of 'concurrent wrongdoer' defence

Joe Costello, former Labour TD, opened a High Court action against RTÉ and the State alleging the broadcaster failed to notify him of its 'concurrent wrongdoer' defence in a 2018 libel action brought by Nicky Kehoe. The case, before Judge Siobhán Stack, is ongoing with the defendants fully contesting the claim.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court14 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenThe defamatory comments were made on a radio broadcast in October 2015. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtIn 2018, Kehoe was awarded €3,500 against RTÉ. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA High Court jury made an overall award of €10,000 for the defamatory comment made by Costello. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury found the broadcast was defamatory because it meant Kehoe was not a fit person to be involved in the democratic process. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury found RTÉ was 35 per cent liable and Costello was 65 per cent at fault. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtKehoe did not sue Costello, so there was no judgment against him. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe defendants are fully contesting the case. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case is before Judge Siobhán Stack and continues. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherRTÉ did not make Costello aware that Kehoe had initiated proceedings or that the case was proceeding to trial. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Apr2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Former Labour TD Joe Costello not notified of RTÉ’s ‘concurrent wrongdoer’ defence, court told

    Reports the opening of Costello's High Court action, in which his barrister Eileen Barrington outlined the claim that RTÉ used him as a 'fall guy' in its 2018 defence of Kehoe's libel action without notifying him. Costello gave evidence that he was unaware of the proceedings or the concurrent wrongdoer defence.

    victim, Joe Costello, male, irish (judged from name)Joe Costellovictim, Nicky Kehoe, male, irish (judged from name)Nicky Kehoe