Menu
10/03/2008
Legal Wrangle Over Restaurant Review To Return To Court
There's clearly no such thing as a 'free lunch' anymore, as reviewers across Northern Ireland have had to pause, leave aside their cutlery - and their computer keyboard - and take account of the legal battle between a west Belfast catering outlet and one of the city's longest established newspapers.
An earlier court judgement on the Irish News' appeal against a £25,000 libel award over a restaurant review has now been quashed by the Court of Appeal.
Judges have ordered a retrial of the 2007 case which initially found in favour of Goodfella's pizza restaurant in Belfast, after a jury found the paper's food critic's review defamatory.
The court has now ruled that the jury in the original trial had been misdirected on whether the opinions were defensible as fair comment.
Ciarnan Convery, the owner of the business, brought the libel action in February, 2007, claiming that the article was defamatory, damaging and hurtful.
Lawyers for the paper had defended their criticism of the restaurant on the basis of justification and fair comment.
In January, a QC for the newspaper said the outcome of the appeal would have "worldwide implications".
The journalist's review allegedly criticised staff, the quality of food and drink, and the smokey atmosphere.
(BMcC/KMcA)
An earlier court judgement on the Irish News' appeal against a £25,000 libel award over a restaurant review has now been quashed by the Court of Appeal.
Judges have ordered a retrial of the 2007 case which initially found in favour of Goodfella's pizza restaurant in Belfast, after a jury found the paper's food critic's review defamatory.
The court has now ruled that the jury in the original trial had been misdirected on whether the opinions were defensible as fair comment.
Ciarnan Convery, the owner of the business, brought the libel action in February, 2007, claiming that the article was defamatory, damaging and hurtful.
Lawyers for the paper had defended their criticism of the restaurant on the basis of justification and fair comment.
In January, a QC for the newspaper said the outcome of the appeal would have "worldwide implications".
The journalist's review allegedly criticised staff, the quality of food and drink, and the smokey atmosphere.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 November 2024
Visit Belfast Celebrates 25 Years of Transforming Tourism Landscape
Visit Belfast, the city's dedicated Destination Marketing and Management Organisation (DMMO), is celebrating a quarter-century of success.
Visit Belfast Celebrates 25 Years of Transforming Tourism Landscape
Visit Belfast, the city's dedicated Destination Marketing and Management Organisation (DMMO), is celebrating a quarter-century of success.
25 November 2024
DfI Outlines Congestion Mitigation Measures In Belfast City Centre
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has announced a series of measures aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in Belfast City Centre. A strategic oversight group, comprising the DfI, Belfast City Council, PSNI, and Translink, has been formed to identify and implement effective solutions to reduce peak-time delays.
DfI Outlines Congestion Mitigation Measures In Belfast City Centre
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has announced a series of measures aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in Belfast City Centre. A strategic oversight group, comprising the DfI, Belfast City Council, PSNI, and Translink, has been formed to identify and implement effective solutions to reduce peak-time delays.
22 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Appeal Following Arson In Newtownabbey PSNI detectives have issues an appeal for information following a report of arson endangering life at residential premises at the Dermont Way area of Newtownabbey.
Other News In Brief
Appeal Following Arson In Newtownabbey PSNI detectives have issues an appeal for information following a report of arson endangering life at residential premises at the Dermont Way area of Newtownabbey.
21 November 2024
Belfast Region City Deal Delivers Early Results
The Belfast Region City Deal, a decade-long investment program, is already making significant strides in delivering tangible benefits to the region. Three years after its inception, partners from the program recently visited Stormont to showcase the progress made so far.
Belfast Region City Deal Delivers Early Results
The Belfast Region City Deal, a decade-long investment program, is already making significant strides in delivering tangible benefits to the region. Three years after its inception, partners from the program recently visited Stormont to showcase the progress made so far.
21 November 2024
Attempted Carjacking In West Belfast
Police are investigating an attempted carjacking in west Belfast on Tuesday, November 19th. At around 5:30pm, a man entered a parked car at Hillhead Court and attempted to steal it. A woman passenger was assaulted when she resisted the man's demands. The suspect, described as a man in his 20s wearing all black, fled the scene on foot.
Attempted Carjacking In West Belfast
Police are investigating an attempted carjacking in west Belfast on Tuesday, November 19th. At around 5:30pm, a man entered a parked car at Hillhead Court and attempted to steal it. A woman passenger was assaulted when she resisted the man's demands. The suspect, described as a man in his 20s wearing all black, fled the scene on foot.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
