Brothers get €30k over ‘paedophile’ tag by hunt boss

Two brothers defamed by the chairman of the Kilkenny Hunt who referred to them as a “pair of paedophiles” have been awar-ded damages of €30,500.

The defamation action was taken by Norman and Hubert Daniels of Rathielty, Rathmoyle, Co Kilkenny, against Edward Norris of Danesrath, Knocktopher.

Judge Thomas Teehan, in his judgment at Kilkenny Circuit Court, said yesterday he accepted evidence that Mr Norris used the words “pair of paedophiles” when looking towards the brothers during a hunt on Nov 12, 2004. When evidence in the case was heard in December, Mr Norris told the court he did say the brothers were “acting like a pair of paedophiles” when he met them during a meeting of the hunt outside their land but said he did not say they actually were paedophiles.