Rihanna being sued by Dublin man for alleged defamation

Superstar singer Rihanna is being sued in the Irish courts for alleged defamation.

Dublin man Geoffrey Keating who worked as head of security for the pop princess has launched an action for damages and claims he was allegedly defamed in a series of statements contained in an email sent by the singer in July last year.

Mr Keating — who was head of security for Rihanna when she was on tour between October 2012 and July 2013 — claims the statements in the communication are untrue and have gravely injured his reputation and his business.

No details of the alleged defamatory remarks were given in open court but Mr Keating’s Counsel told a judge the email contained allegations that were “nauseatingly offensive”.

Yesterday in the Dublin High Court, Mr Justice Michael Peart who commented he had no “judicial knowledge” of who Rihanna was granted Mr Keating’s lawyers permission to serve notice of the intended proceedings on Robyn Fenty, aka Rihanna, at her address at a penthouse apartment at Lafayette St, Soho, New York, in the US.

Last year, Rihanna wowed the audience at the Aviva Stadium with her show as part of her Diamonds world tour.

Mr Keating, of Woodbank Drive, Valley Park, Finglas, Dublin, claims he was defamed in a series of false statements contained in the email sent by the 26-year-old actress/singer in July of last year.

The email was sent both to Mr Keating and his wife. He denies the allegations made against him in the email.

Arising out of the email, Mr Keating has launched proceedings seeking damages against Rihanna. He also wants the High Court to grant him a number of orders including one directing the singer to publish a correction of the alleged defamation.

Yesterday’s High Court application was granted an ex parte basis, where only one side is represented in court.

Seeking the order Keith Spencer BL for Mr Keating said his client had acted as head of security for the internationally renowned singer while she was on tour between October 2012 and July 2013.

While no details of the alleged defamatory remarks were given in open court, counsel said the email contained allegations that were “nauseatingly offensive”.

Mr Justice Peart said he was satisfied to make the order allowing Mr Keating’s lawyers serve the singer with notice of the proceedings.