Teacher accused of being 'GAA catfish' gets interim injunction to restrain disciplinary process

Woman claims speculation online naming her as the GAA catfish caused 'severe distress and anguish'

Podcasts published by The 2 Johnnies in 2022 described the alleged activities of an individual who created fictitious social media profiles, using those profiles to communicate with other people, often men, many of whom were involved in the GAA community.  Picture: Ruth Medjber

A schoolteacher who claims she was falsely identified online as the so-called “GAA Catfish” has secured an interim injunction restraining her school from continuing a disciplinary process potentially leading to her dismissal.

Niamh Farrell, from The Spires, Portadown, Co Armagh, has claimed in the High Court she was wrongly identified online as the person responsible for “catfishing” – the practice of deceiving people online often in an attempt to lure them into a relationship – various individuals in activities that were the subject of several podcasts by entertainment duo The 2 Johnnies.