Gardaí have 'made 20 efforts' to find Gemma O'Doherty, contempt case told

The court also heard that gardaí had said they had seen broadcasts by Gemma O'Doherty which indicate she is aware that the case was before the court today. File photo: Julien Behal/PA

Gardaí have made "20 efforts" seeking Gemma O'Doherty so she can be brought before the High Court to answer a complaint that she is in contempt of the High Court, a judge has been told.

Mr Justice Mark Sanfey agreed on Friday to again adjourn an application until gardaí are able to execute an order that she come before the court. The court has previously heard Ms O'Doherty, who is editor of a newspaper called The Irish Light, is out of the jurisdiction.

The contempt application arises out of Ms O'Doherty's alleged refusal to obey an order not to harass the mother of a young man who took his own life.

Edel Campbell, the mother of the late Diego Gilsenan, is suing Ms O'Doherty over the use of her son's image in the “Irish Light” newspaper, which is edited by Ms O'Doherty.

Ms O'Doherty was ordered to remove images of Diego from any media platforms under her control, or from publishing any images of him or the family on any medium. However, it was claimed there have been numerous other publications in clear disregard of the court order.

As a result, an application was made by Ms Campbell's lawyers for her attachment and committal to prison for contempt of court. Ms O'Doherty denies any wrongdoing.

Last week, Mr Justice Sanfey adjourned the matter so that gardaí could be served with the attachment and committal papers. The judge said the case could come back at any time in the interim if the gardaí located her or if she chose herself to attend.

On Friday, the judge was told she had not turned up and gardaí had not been in a position to execute the order.

David Kennedy SC, for Ms Campbell, said gardaí had however also said they had seen broadcasts by Ms O'Doherty which indicate she is aware that the case was before the court today.

Counsel also said the gardaí had "made 20 efforts to serve the order".

Mr Justice Sanfey said he also knew she was aware the case was on today because she had asked to join the hearing remotely by video link but this had been refused because the purpose of the application is to secure her personal attendance at court.

He said he would adjourn the matter, not to a specific date, but with liberty to apply to have the case brought back when the gardaí are in a position to give effect to the order.