Solicitor claims Denis O’Brien 'played the man, not the ball' in press release, libel case told

Two solicitors claim Mr O’Brien’s statement implied they acted for and received payment from the IRA

Darragh Mackin said Denis O'Brien (pictured) wasn’t a 'faceless troll on Twitter', but rather one of Ireland’s most successful businessmen which means that people listen to Mr O’Brien. File Picture: PA

A solicitor suing Denis O’Brien over an allegedly defamatory press release has told a High Court jury that the businessman “played the man, not the ball” in making the complained-of statement, and that it led to “grave consequences”.

Darragh Mackin was giving evidence on the second day of the defamation action, in which he and fellow solicitor Gavin Booth claim Mr O’Brien’s statement implied they acted for and received payment from the IRA (Irish Republican Army).