Facebook claims difficulties in complying with order in former TD's defamation case

Facebook said the account holder who allegedly defamed Mr O'Rourke has a very common name, and was concerned about the legal repercussions of handing over information on what turned out to be the wrong account.

Frank O’Rourke claims that wholly untrue statements posted about him on social media last February were designed "to cause maximum professional damage to me" in the 2020 General Election, at a time when he was going through "a difficult marriage breakdown".

Facebook has told the High Court it would have difficulties complying with an order sought by former Fianna Fáil TD Frank O’Rourke requiring it to provide details of an account which he claims was responsible for social media posts that defamed him.

Last month, Mr O'Rourke sought orders in separate actions against Twitter International Company and Facebook Ireland Ltd requiring details so he can identify the posters in order to sue them for defamation.