Court rules on costs in Ganley defamation action against CNN

The High Court has placed a stay on the enforcement of a costs order against international news broadcaster CNN following a preliminary ruling in a defamation case against the network by businessman Declan Ganley and his company Rivada.

Two weeks ago, Mr Justice Garrett Simons, in that preliminary ruling, said the defamation action should be heard in Ireland rather than the US as argued by CNN.

The case returned before the judge on Tuesday after the judge had also ruled Mr Ganley and Rivada were entitled to the costs of the three-day hearing over that preliminary issue.

Hugh McDowell BL, for CNN, asked for a stay on the execution of the costs order until the full defamation case is determined. Mark Harty SC, for Mr Ganley and Rivada, argued there should be no stay.

The judge ruled there should be a stay until the matter is fully determined in the High Court when he said either side would be entitled to “cash in” the question of costs.

He also said if…