Author denies Coolmore Stud book is defamatory

A Tipperary man who has written a book about his experiences working at Coolmore Stud has asked the High Court for injunctions restraining the stud seeking to frustrate sales of his book.

William Jones, author of The Black Horse Inside Coolmore, claims Coolmore Stud is engaging in a “flagrant” abuse of his right to freedom of speech according to the Constitution and European Convention on Human Rights. He told Mr Justice Paul Gilligan solicitors for Coolmore had written to the Amazon website and various bookshops referring to potential proceedings for defamation in relation to the book and seeking that it be withdrawn from sale.

Mr Jones, who denies any defamation, said, since his book was published in November 2015, he has made repeated requests to Arthur Cox, solicitors for Coolmore, to precisely outline the alleged defamation. That had not been done, he claims.

Representing himself, Mr Jones, of Cashel, Co Tipperary, told the judge he wanted an interim ex parte injunction (one side only represented) restraining any efforts on behalf of Coolmore Stud to frustrate sales of his book.

The matter was urgent because it was affecting sales, he said.

In his proceedings, he also wants a declaration the book is not defamatory on its face and may be sold in outlets where books are sold.

Mr Justice Gilligan said, in circumstances where there was no court order restraining sale of the book and where Mr Jones had provided a very long affidavit setting out allegations against Coolmore, he believed the court should not hear the application for the interim order ex parte.

He directed Mr Jones to put the other side on notice of the injunctions application and said he would deal with it next Monday.