Scientologist to pay €5k over ‘vitriolic attack’

Zabrina Collins was ordered by a judge to pay €5,000 damages for a “vitriolic and personalised” attack on the character of a Mayo man who opposes the beliefs and teachings of the Church of Scientology of which she is a leading member.

Judge James O’Donohoe in the Circuit Civil Court said allegations by her against Peter Griffiths of criminal activity, hate mongering, and links to gay pornographic movies of teenage boys “were largely untrue and grossly defamatory”.

He said references in an email from Ms Collins to a Dublin headmaster, describing Mr Griffiths as not being a fit person to engage with impressionable students, was “particularly distasteful” but had not gone far enough to brand him a paedophile.