Irish Examiner defamation case: 'Incorrect' to suggest committee dictated investigation findings 

Irish Planning Institute’s former executive director claims allegations made about her in an EY investigation report were presented as fact in two published articles and damaged her reputation

Orla Purcell has brought a defimation case against the 'Irish Examiner.' Picture: Collins Courts

A member of a committee which liaised with a consultancy regarding its investigation of allegations against a senior executive of the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) has said it is “incorrect” to suggest that that committee dictated what the findings of the investigation were.

Sarah Newell, head of housing delivery with Limerick City and County Council and a former member of the IPI’s 12-person governing council, told a High Court defamation hearing that she had been secretary of the oversight committee set up by the IPI to administer an investigation by consultants EY into the conduct of the institute’s former executive director, Orla Purcell.