CNN Loses Appeal in Declan Ganley Defamation Case, Hearing to Proceed in Ireland
Dublin, Ireland – The Court of Appeal (CoA) has dismissed an appeal by CNN, allowing a defamation action brought by Galway-based businessman Declan Ganley and his telecommunications firm, Rivada, to proceed in Ireland. The ruling upholds a previous High Court decision that the case should be heard in Ireland, not the United States, as CNN had argued. BreakingNews.ie and Irish Examiner reported on the decision.
Background of the Case
Ganley and Rivada are suing CNN Inc, Cable News International (CNI) Ltd, and Turner Broadcasting System Europe Ltd over a report published on October 20, 2020. The report alleged that the Trump administration pressured the Department of Defense to award a multi-million dollar contract for mid-band spectrum leasing to an entity described as “Rivada” without a competitive bidding process.
Ganley and Rivada claim the report contained “maliciously” defamatory statements. CNN denies these claims, asserting the story is substantially true and concerns a matter of public interest. The network argued that the US was the appropriate jurisdiction due to the report’s focus on US events and the location of relevant witnesses.
Court’s Reasoning
Judge Denis McDonald, delivering the judgment on behalf of the three-judge CoA panel, affirmed the High Court’s decision. The court determined that Ireland is “clearly and distinctly the more appropriate forum” for the hearing, regardless of the burden of proof. A key factor in this determination was the fact that the publication occurred in Ireland and that Ganley and Rivada claim their reputation was damaged within the jurisdiction.
The CoA also dismissed a second appeal by CNI and Turner Broadcasting, which sought to have the case against them dismissed, arguing they had no reasonable cause of action. The court found that it was not yet clear that the claims against these entities would ultimately fail. The court noted CNN’s acknowledgement that CNI employees occasionally create content and that CNI is involved in news production and gathering activities.
Ganley’s Response
Declan Ganley expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, describing it as a “big win” on appeal. Ganley posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating Rivada is “very satisfied with the comprehensive Judgment.”
Previous Ruling
In February 2025, the High Court rejected CNN’s application to stay the defamation proceedings, further solidifying Ireland as the chosen jurisdiction for the case. Taylor Wessing reported on this earlier ruling.