Costello's Lawsuit Against RTÉ Dismissed, State Case Continues

0:00That wraps Europe news today, brought to you with AI. I'm Cory with the story. A former Labor TD named Joe Costello just lost the big chunk of his lawsuit against RTE in the high court. He sued the broadcaster over how they handled defending a defamation case back in 2018. That part got struck out, but his challenge against the state rolls on. It all stems from comments Costello made on RTE Radio 1 in October 2015, accusing Sin Fein activist Nikki Keeho of being on the IRA. Army Council and swaying Dublin City Councilors. Keeho sued RTE, one 10,000 year olds from a jury, but they penned 65% blame on Costello and 35% on the station. Costello fired back, saying RTE should have warned him they were dragging his name into their defense. He argued a section of the Civil Liability Act from 1961 demands prior notice in these situations. And without it, the law might even be unconstitutional.

1:01Yesterday, after Costello wrapped his testimony, his lawyers and RTE agreed the broadcaster claim could drop. Justice Shabonstack signed off on striking it out, shifting focus purely to the state side. The remaining case against the government wraps up tomorrow, with the judge likely holding off on her ruling to dig deeper into that legislation.