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. 3516Defamation (discovery order) · Co. Meath

High Court orders Garda to hand over complaint statement for Keegan Quarries defamation case

The High Court refused Kieran Cummins's appeal against a discovery order, allowing John Keegan and Keegan Quarries to obtain Cummins's 2021 Garda statement of complaint about harassment and intimidation for use in their Circuit Court defamation proceedings against him.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court19 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereKeegan Quarries is headquartered in Co Meath. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereKieran Cummins is of Rathmolyon, Co Meath. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenIn April 2021, Cummins went to Trim Garda station and complained of harassment and intimidation by Keegan Quarries. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationNo further action was taken and no further action was planned. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe High Court ordered the Garda Commissioner to hand over a statement of complaint made by a member of the public for use in a defamation case. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtKeegan and his company began defamation proceedings against Cummins in the Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThey sought discovery of all records and documents held by gardaí in Trim relating to the complaint, and the Circuit Court granted this order. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCummins appealed to the High Court, which refused his appeal but changed the order to cover only the statement of complaint itself. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe order was made despite pleas that it would set a precedent deterring people from seeking Garda help. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherForst said the actions of Keegan Quarries constituted strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP). (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Mar2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    High Court allows company have Garda statement in order to sue environmentalist

    Reports the High Court's refusal of Cummins's appeal, the narrowing of the discovery order to the statement only, the UN special rapporteur's intervention, and a stay on the costs order pending the Circuit Court trial.

    accused, Kieran Cummins, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kieran Cumminsvictim, John Keegan, male, irish (judged from name)John Keegan