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. 3160Defamation (libel) · Co. Dublin · 5 May 2026

High Court judge criticises John McGuirk after 11th-hour adjournment of defamation trial against Paddy Cosgrave

Judge Tony O'Connor at the High Court sharply criticised conservative commentator John McGuirk after his lawyers sought an 11th-hour adjournment of his defamation trial against Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave, describing the situation as a 'travesty' and ordering McGuirk to pay legal costs incurred in the wasted hearing date.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court5 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
5 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMcGuirk alleges he was defamed by posts made by Cosgrave on X (then Twitter) in 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial was due to begin before a judge and a jury. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcGuirk was not present in court while Cosgrave was present. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe McGuirk side was still awaiting a report from a San Francisco-based expert when consent was given. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcNally said she had not met her client in months and had not reviewed papers since January. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 May2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    John McGuirk criticised by High Court judge after adjournment of libel action against Paddy Cosgrave

    Reports the adjournment of the defamation trial, the judge's criticism of McGuirk and his legal team, and the costs order imposed on McGuirk.

    victim, John McGuirk, irish (judged from name)John McGuirksuspect, Paddy Cosgrave, named, irish (judged from name)Paddy Cosgrave