CNN Defamation Case: Irish Court Upholds Jurisdiction Over Ganley Dispute

Dublin, Ireland – The Court of Appeal (CoA) in Ireland has dismissed CNN’s appeal to move a defamation action to the United States, ruling that the case brought by Galway-based businessman Declan Ganley and his telecommunications firm, Rivada, will be heard in Ireland. The decision, delivered on Friday, March 13, 2026, affirms a previous High Court ruling from last year .

Background of the Dispute

The legal battle stems from a report broadcast and published online on October 20, 2020, which suggested that the Trump administration pressured the Department of Defense to award a multi-million dollar contract to an entity described as “Rivada” without a competitive bidding process . Ganley and Rivada allege that the report contained maliciously defamatory statements.

The Core of the Legal Argument

CNN, along with associated companies Cable News International (CNI) Ltd and Turner Broadcasting System Europe Ltd, argued that the US was the appropriate jurisdiction for the case. Their arguments centered on the claim that the report was fundamentally related to the US and that all relevant witnesses were based there . They maintain the story is substantially true and concerns a matter of public interest.

Why Ireland?

Declan Ganley countered that Rivada Ireland is closely linked to its US parent company, Rivada Networks LLC. The High Court, and now the Court of Appeal, sided with Ganley and Rivada, determining that Ireland is the proper venue for the defamation proceedings .

Costs and Further Proceedings

In February 2025, Mr. Justice Garrett Simons ruled the case should be heard in Ireland and awarded costs to Ganley and Rivada for the preliminary hearing. CNN subsequently sought a stay on the enforcement of those costs, which was initially granted pending the outcome of the full defamation case . The recent CoA decision reinforces the Irish jurisdiction and sets the stage for the full defamation case to proceed in the Irish courts.

Implications

This ruling underscores the importance of access to justice in jurisdictional disputes. The case highlights the Irish courts’ willingness to assert jurisdiction in defamation cases with international implications, particularly when there is a substantial connection to Ireland . The outcome will likely be closely watched by media organizations and individuals involved in cross-border defamation litigation.