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. 3198Defamation (libel) · Co. Dublin

Journalist Mick Clifford testifies in Orla Purcell's defamation trial against Irish Examiner

Mick Clifford, the journalist behind two January 2023 Irish Examiner articles about an EY investigation into allegations against former IPI executive director Orla Purcell, told the High Court the articles were fair and accurate. Purcell is suing the Irish Examiner for defamation, claiming the articles meant she was guilty of serious misconduct, impropriety and illegality.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 Apr
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatOrla Purcell is suing the Irish Examiner over two January 2023 articles she claims were defamatory. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe articles were written by journalist Mick Clifford and concerned a report compiled by EY following an investigation into allegations made against Purcell by another IPI employee. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPurcell claims EY was instructed by an IPI oversight committee to make findings that certain allegations against her could be substantiated. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFollowing the completion of the EY report, the oversight committee directed Purcell to face a disciplinary procedure to determine if she had been involved in gross misconduct. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPurcell is suing over two January 2023 articles, claiming the publications were defamatory of her. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe subject of the articles was a report compiled by consultancy firm EY following an investigation into allegations made against Purcell by another IPI employee. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Irish Examiner denies the claims and relies on defences of fair and reasonable publication on a matter of public interest and qualified privilege. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMick Clifford was giving evidence on Thursday in a defamation case taken by Orla Purcell against the Irish Examiner. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Irish Examiner relies on a defence of fair and reasonable publication on a matter of public interest, and a defence of qualified privilege. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe SHD system was introduced by the Government to speed up construction of housing but was ultimately scrapped. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe Irish Examiner is a Cork-based newspaper. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Apr2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Articles on planning executive allegations were fair and accurate, journalist tells libel trial

    Mick Clifford gives evidence about the basis for his reporting, the EY report, and the meaning of words used in the articles; Purcell's counsel cross-examines him on the accuracy of specific phrases.

    victim, Orla Purcell, female, Irish, irishOrla Purcellaccused, Mick Clifford, male, Irish, named, irishMick Clifford
  2. 29 Apr2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Planning institute influenced EY report findings, executive claims at Irish Examiner libel trial

    Reports on cross-examination of Orla Purcell during her libel trial, where she claimed an IPI oversight committee improperly influenced the EY report and directed her to face a disciplinary procedure for alleged gross misconduct.

    victim, Orla Purcell, female, irish (judged from name)Orla Purcellsuspect, Mick Clifford, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mick Clifford