Lowry loses defamation case against Sam Smyth

Independent TD for North Tipperary Michael Lowry has lost his High Court bid to secure summary disposal of a defamation case brought over comments by journalist Sam Smyth.

Mr Smyth had denied comments made by him during TV3’s Tonight With Vincent Browne in June 2010 meant Mr Lowry was a thief but said he did believe the politician was a liar and tax cheat, and argued he was expressing “honest opinion” on a matter of public interest. He also denied defaming Mr Lowry in a newspaper article.

The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, said yesterday the summary order sought by Mr Lowry under section 34 of the Defamation Act 2009 could only be granted if there was no defence to the alleged defamation “reasonably likely to succeed”.