Sean Gallagher awarded damages - ''tweetgate''

BinLiner2 · 20-12-2017 11:42am

Has he said what he's doing with the money?

c_man · 20-12-2017 11:46am

dav3 wrote: »

Poor Sean. Although I'm sure he's done alright for himself since with all his Fianna Fail contacts that he amassed over the years.

The country dodged a bullet by not having him as president.

Do you really think anything of substance would be different if it were the case?

quintana76 · 20-12-2017 11:54am

meeeeh wrote: »

A pot plant can be a president and it won't make a difference.

However state body falsley discrediting someone in an election is usually more common in some totalitarian countries. I don't think it was intentional but it's nothing to be proud or happy about. In fact I think heads should roll.

So you think that It was only just a coincidence that RTE's prefered candidate benefited and subsequently won the election.

baylah17 · 20-12-2017 12:05pm

Interesting to see that Gallaghers Senior Counsel was none other than Jim O'Callaghan.
Yes thats right Miriam's brother, TD and FF spokesperson for Justice.
The settlement brought an end to protracted proceedings initiated by Mr Gallagher in 2013. At a scheduled pre-trial hearing yesterday, Mr Justice David Keane was told by Jim O'Callaghan SC, for Mr Gallagher, that the matter had been resolved.
https://www.lawlibrary.ie/members/James-O'Callaghan/868.aspx

DEFTLEFTHAND · 20-12-2017 12:24pm

What exactly was so bad about him?

At the time I thought somone like him might have been good for the role. Youngish man who had been succesful outside of the world of politics. Recently married and about to start a family. I felt that would have given off a good image and revitalized the office to some extent.

20-12-2017 12:30pm

baylah17 wrote: »

Interesting to see that Gallaghers Senior Counsel was none other than Jim O'Callaghan.

He specialises in defamation. A quick search on Google says he acted in Rosanna Davison's defamation case, in Dana's case, Thomas Byrne, Tulisa, Denis O'Brien and so on and on.

meeeeh · 20-12-2017 1:23pm

quintana76 wrote: »

So you think that It was only just a coincidence that RTE's prefered candidate benefited and subsequently won the election.

I don't think Rte got someone to tweet this to discredit Sean Gallagher. However for whatever reason their handling of the issue afterwards was extremely poor and possibly prejudiced. I don't think they set out to discredit Sean Gallagher but they didn't do anything to correct the information either.

I wouldn't vote for Gallagher or Higgins (I can't vote) but that kind of interference in election results makes me very uncomfortable. National broadcaster is supposed to be independent.

Foxhound38 · 20-12-2017 1:52pm

That whole election was amazing craic altogether.

From Dana reckoning that there was an assassination plot against her when her tires blew out, to Gallaghers implosion on live TV, to absolutely everything about and every cringe-worthy utterance from Gay Mitchell's campaign, Irish politics hadn't been that entertaining in years.

Thankfully, I believe the right man won - Michael D has done an excellent job as president and I hope he goes for re-election (although I will be sad if that means the above political circus won't come to town again).

A Little Pony · 20-12-2017 2:09pm

meeeeh wrote: »

A pot plant can be a president and it won't make a difference.

However state body falsley discrediting someone in an election is usually more common in some totalitarian countries. I don't think it was intentional but it's nothing to be proud or happy about. In fact I think heads should roll.

Sean Gallagher was the least idiotic on that stage or morally disgraceful. When you have a terrorist debating your ethics as Sean had towards him then you have to call into question the legitimacy of the debate to begin with.

A Little Pony · 20-12-2017 2:12pm

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

What exactly was so bad about him?

At the time I thought somone like him might have been good for the role. Youngish man who had been succesful outside of the world of politics. Recently married and about to start a family. I felt that would have given off a good image and revitalized the office to some extent.

Nothing whatsoever was wrong with him. At least he had an opinion and experience in business. Has Higgins got an opinion on anything? Ireland elected the most boring person in Ireland to be it's President who doesn't seem to say anything.

Foxhound38 · 20-12-2017 2:19pm

A Little Pony wrote: »

Nothing whatsoever was wrong with him. At least he had an opinion and experience in business. Has Higgins got an opinion on anything? Ireland elected the most boring person in Ireland to be it's President who doesn't seem to say anything.

What do you reckon Gallagher would have said had he been elected?

Sitting Presidents aren't allowed to comment on legislative issues.

10000maniacs · 20-12-2017 4:03pm

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

I've no problem with rte paying for this. Whatever it cost it was one of the best pieces of public expenditure in recent years if it helped keep that cretin out of the park.

I for one have issue with RTE paying. RTE are not paying, its us.
RTE annoy me in so many ways.
Have you ever wondered why the RTE channels are the only channels in HD on Saorview?
Its because RTE charges exorbitant fees to commercial stations for HD carriage on the network which they run. But RTE gets a free ride on the network because its our money.
Just one of many things that peeve me about RTE.

Richard Hillman · 20-12-2017 4:09pm

RTE should have been shut down after that. Blatant intention to skew the Presidential Election.

And for all those saying so what or that they didn't like Gallagher, what happens when RTE tries to screw over your guy?

i71jskz5xu42pb · 20-12-2017 4:15pm

10000maniacs wrote: »

I for one have issue with RTE paying. RTE are not paying, its us.

Indeed, Ivan Yates made a good point start of his show yesterday that the settlement could be significant. Don't remember the exact numbers but he had the value of the job (7 years salary + pension but excluding the free room and board) at north of €2 million.
If I were Gallagher's lawyers I'd be arguing that RTE cost him that €2m + the damage to his good name. And would probably settle at somewhere lower than that.

Would everybody be happy if this guy got e.g. €1m of our money?

There's a reason the settlement amount was not publicised, it'd embarrass RTE.

c_man · 20-12-2017 4:21pm

Clark Kind Grimace wrote: »

Would everybody be happy if this guy got e.g. €1m of our money?

I don't see why we'd be angry with him for getting money, it was the folks in RTE who engaged in this act. And none of them lost their jobs or indeed any disciplinary action. Maybe if they fired the guilty people, the savings from that could cover the settlement?

i71jskz5xu42pb · 20-12-2017 4:22pm

A Little Pony wrote: »

Has Higgins got an opinion on anything?

You're joking, right? Higgins was probably one of the most vocal TDs in the Dail over the years. He has pretty strong opinions and was never shy to voice them.

As others have said, the role prevents him from speaking out now as president.

i71jskz5xu42pb · 20-12-2017 4:26pm

c_man wrote: »

I don't see why we'd be angry with him for getting money, it was the folks in RTE who engaged in this act.

I didn't say "angry with him" though, did I?

c_man wrote: »

And none of them lost their jobs or indeed any disciplinary action. Maybe if they fired the guilty people, the savings from that could cover the settlement?

All good but unfortunately it's never going to happen.
Which makes me angry.

Water John · 20-12-2017 4:30pm

Put the individual to one side. RTE in the guise of Pat Kenny, used an unverified source/tweet, and put the subject matter, in the public domain. That is the basis of good journalism thrown out the window. You check, high quality journalism, they would have at least two verifiable, if not multiple sources before running public with a claim.
It was very poor judgement and poor journalism, both of the editorial staff and PK. That is why RTE has to apologise and pay out.

The picking apart of any one or all of the candidates, is a separate matter entirely. Don't go down the Fox News/Trump route.

c_man · 20-12-2017 4:31pm

Clark Kind Grimace wrote: »

I didn't say "angry with him" though, did I?

Fair enough, my bad.

I'm angry too.

Let's go down to RTE and beat some people up.

A Little Pony · 20-12-2017 4:53pm

Water John wrote: »

Put the individual to one side. RTE in the guise of Pat Kenny, used an unverified source/tweet, and put the subject matter, in the public domain. That is the basis of good journalism thrown out the window. You check, high quality journalism, they would have at least two verifiable, if not multiple sources before running public with a claim.
It was very poor judgement and poor journalism, both of the editorial staff and PK. That is why RTE has to apologise and pay out.

The picking apart of any one or all of the candidates, is a separate matter entirely. Don't go down the Fox News/Trump route.

Or CNN or MSNBC. Proper journalism doesn't exist anymore. It is not about being right, it is about being first and virtue signalling and agenda driven political hacks. Used to be a time when opinions got put at the door and facts only used during the news, not so much anymore.

Still Ill · 20-12-2017 4:58pm

Presume there's nowhere to watch the debate online now? Would love to watch it again.. It was a truly magical night.

Mr.Micro · 20-12-2017 5:05pm

Richard Hillman wrote: »

RTE should have been shut down after that. Blatant intention to skew the Presidential Election.

And for all those saying so what or that they didn't like Gallagher, what happens when RTE tries to screw over your guy?

Best bit of money RTE ever spent, as it is a small price to pay to have kept the likes of Gallagher from being President. Has he ever done a days work, other than getting grants for this, that and the other. Now another handout.

meeeeh · 20-12-2017 5:47pm

Mr.Micro wrote: »

Best bit of money RTE ever spent, as it is a small price to pay to have kept the likes of Gallagher from being President. Has he ever done a days work, other than getting grants for this, that and the other. Now another handout.

So you think any abuse of democracy is ok as long as you approve of the result? It's not up to national broadcaster to keep anyone out or in office with false information.

You can dislike Gallagher but this kind of attitude is incredibly shortsighted and frankly dumb.

quickbeam · 20-12-2017 6:10pm

Still Ill wrote: »

Presume there's nowhere to watch the debate online now? Would love to watch it again.. It was a truly magical night.

Poor_old_gill · 20-12-2017 6:23pm

Interesting to read that prior to that live debate that only he & Michael D had not been part of some paper rumours/accusations.
Then his name gets dragged through the coals when he was the favourite in the polls and Michael D was second- it most similar instances you would conclude that the main beneficiary is usually the perpetrator.

keeponhurling · 20-12-2017 7:17pm

10000maniacs wrote: »

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

.

I for one have issue with RTE paying. RTE are not paying, its us.
RTE annoy me in so many ways.

This.

NickNickleby · 20-12-2017 7:29pm

A Little Pony wrote: »

Watched the debate and he should have been the President. Much better than the hobbit or terrorist candidate.

Accidentally 'liked' your post. Whoops!

Anyway, it caught my eye. I voted for Sean Gallagher because having seen him speaking at public events I felt he was more inspirational than any of his fellow candidates. I also met him personally a couple of times and found him quite personable. I believe he would have been a good President.

So, while our current President wasn't no 1 on my ballot paper, as President I feel he deserves the respect due to his office. So I'm disappointed that you choose to mock him for his physical stature.

If Sean Gallagher runs again, I'll vote for him, unless a stronger candidate runs.

Cheers

Bobeagleburger · 20-12-2017 7:51pm

quickbeam wrote: »

A Rabbit in headlights. Total spoofer.

holyhead · 20-12-2017 9:51pm

I think the political establishment realised Sean Gallagher was a credible candidate and used RTE to discredit him. The problem is in discrediting him RTE have been deemed to have smeared his character hence the award of damages. He has every right to damages if before the law his name was unfairly tarnished. We the taxpayer see our license fee used to settle a bill incurred by irresponsible broadcasting. We will most likely never know who was behind the derailing or how much it cost us financially. Shameful all around.

20-12-2017 10:05pm

holyhead wrote: »

I think the political establishment realised Sean Gallagher was a credible candidate and used RTE to discredit him. The problem is in discrediting him RTE have been deemed to have smeared his character hence the award of damages. He has every right to damages if before the law his name was unfairly tarnished. We the taxpayer see our license fee used to settle a bill incurred by irresponsible broadcasting. We will most likely never know who was behind the derailing or how much it cost us financially. Shameful all around.

Gallagher WAS the political establishment. He was up to his neck with FF and tried to pull the wool over everyone's eyes by claiming to be an "independent" all of a sudden. And Jaysus, looking at this thread, it sure worked.

McMurphy · 20-12-2017 10:47pm

A Little Pony wrote: »

Sean Gallagher was the least idiotic on that stage or morally disgraceful. When you have a terrorist debating your ethics as Sean had towards him then you have to call into question the legitimacy of the debate to begin with.

Every thread?

isolated_broken_record_gift_tags-r90b016a476e54ccf8b3ee11cd8454c8c_zycum_324.jpg?rlvnet=1

BinLiner2 · 20-12-2017 11:00pm

I'd take McGuiness over gallagher

20-12-2017 11:20pm

Sergio Georgini wrote: »

Gallagher WAS the political establishment. He was up to his neck with FF and tried to pull the wool over everyone's eyes by claiming to be an "independent" all of a sudden. And Jaysus, looking at this thread, it sure worked.

In a race that featured politicians like Mitchell, Norris and Higgins, he was hardly THE political establishment figure.

BENDYBINN · 20-12-2017 11:24pm

Who was the best candidate is neither here nor there.
RTÉ took Gallagher out plain and simple.
Frightening that they got away with it.

keeponhurling · 20-12-2017 11:26pm

holyhead wrote: »

We the taxpayer see our license fee used to settle a bill incurred by irresponsible broadcasting. We will most likely never know who was behind the derailing or how much it cost us financially. Shameful all around.

It's a good point.
Given the award is coming from public funding, shouldn't this be available under freedom of information ?
And not knowing how it was able to happen in the first place doesn't give much reassurance that it will be avoided in future.

Anyways, the story ends back where it all began - with Gallagher collecting a large cheque.

Skylinehead · 21-12-2017 12:04am

Deleted User wrote: »

In a race that featured politicians like Mitchell, Norris and Higgins, he was hardly THE political establishment figure.

Nobody said he was. Wrong emphasised word there.

dd972 · 21-12-2017 12:24am

Wouldn't minding banging his missus.

expectationlost · 21-12-2017 12:29am

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

What exactly was so bad about him?

At the time I thought somone like him might have been good for the role. Youngish man who had been succesful outside of the world of politics. Recently married and about to start a family. I felt that would have given off a good image and revitalized the office to some extent.

he was a fianna failer

expectationlost · 21-12-2017 12:30am

that doc is called the naked election presidential password protected on vimeo http://www.loosehorse.ie/portfolio-items/the-naked-election/

A Little Pony · 21-12-2017 6:04pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Sergio Georgini wrote: »

Gallagher WAS the political establishment. He was up to his neck with FF and tried to pull the wool over everyone's eyes by claiming to be an "independent" all of a sudden. And Jaysus, looking at this thread, it sure worked.

In a race that featured politicians like Mitchell, Norris and Higgins, he was hardly THE political establishment figure.

And a terrorist.

StupidLikeAFox · 22-12-2017 2:32am

BENDYBINN wrote: »

Who was the best candidate is neither here nor there.
RTÉ took Gallagher out plain and simple.
Frightening that they got away with it.

I would look back at the link posted earlier. Gallagher was all over place.

1. McGuinness tried to say he was a fianna failer but he tried to distance himself from that
2. He then went on to admit he organised a attendees for a fianna fail dinner
3. Then he went on to say one of these men was a convicted criminal and drug smuggler.
4. Then he said that of he did indeed collect an envelope from this individual it was delivered straight to fianna fail headquarters

He lost it when he said "envelope". He was trying to paint a picture that he was arms length from FF but still managed to outline that he was close to them and fundraised for them. This is what really swung the public opinion.

realitykeeper · 25-12-2017 2:35am

Clark Kind Grimace wrote: »

You've no problem with the *license payer* paying for this

Could RTE try shifting the blame to the host of the offending broadcast and make a claim in the courts against Pat Kenny and/or his company? If so and if successful in the courts, could the money awarded cut RTE`s losses? If not successful in court, could RTE simply deem Pat Kenny to be at fault in a unilateral way and could they reflect such a unilateral decision by simply not renewing any of his contracts?

Sofiztikated · 25-12-2017 2:40am

realitykeeper wrote: »

Could RTE try shifting the blame to the host of the offending broadcast and make a claim in the courts against Pat Kenny and/or his company? If so and if successful in the courts, could the money awarded cut RTE`s losses? If not successful in court, could RTE simply deem Pat Kenny to be at fault in a unilateral way and could they reflect such a unilateral decision by simply not renewing any of his contracts?

It's Christmas Eve, Sean, well into Christmas day.

Go to bed.

ArtSmart · 25-12-2017 3:50am

"De Envelope!"

DE ENVELOPE!

lol. Made my year.

25-12-2017 8:06am

StupidLikeAFox wrote: »

He lost it when he said "envelope". He was trying to paint a picture that he was arms length from FF but still managed to outline that he was close to them and fundraised for them. This is what really swung the public opinion.

Ah revisionist nonsense.

Everyone knew about the FF connection and his popularity rise and rose. The accusation was that he got a brown envelope from a criminal. It was an accusation made by a party rammed with criminals, so it sounded convincing, after all if anyone knew what fuel smugglers did with their money it was SF. That was the new angle that finished him.

25-12-2017 11:24am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Ah revisionist nonsense.

Everyone knew about the FF connection and his popularity rise and rose.

Haha! Thanks for the laugh, merry Christmas.

realitykeeper · 25-12-2017 11:59am

Deleted User wrote: »

Everyone knew about the FF connection and his popularity rise and rose.

You are absolutely right. It was RTE that sabotaged Sean Gallagher. RTE behaved disgracefully throughout that entire campaign. I would go so far as to say the office of President should cease to exist because the national broadcaster RTE is incapable of being impartial.

25-12-2017 12:10pm

Sergio Georgini wrote: »

Haha! Thanks for the laugh, merry Christmas.

I'd say neither of us is laughing as hard as Sean Gallagher, what a merry merry Christmas he must be having!

tayto lover · 25-12-2017 1:30pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd say neither of us is laughing as hard as Sean Gallagher, what a merry merry Christmas he must be having!

Not nearly as merry than if he was in the Park though.

25-12-2017 1:32pm

tayto lover wrote: »

Not nearly as merry than if he was in the Park though.

Ach, he'd have to probably attend some function or other. The way things panned out he gets the money but not the work.

Sean Gallagher awarded damages - ''tweetgate''

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