Free-speech group raises concerns over court action taken by Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly

London-based NGO Index on Censorship filed a media freedom alert to the Council of Europe regarding the matter.

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has taken a case against journalist Malachi O’Doherty and columnist Ruth Dudley Edwards. Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Concerns have been raised by a group that advocates for free expression over court action taken by a Sinn Féin MLA against two commentators.

Index on Censorship, a London-based NGO, said it was concerned that the cases taken by Gerry Kelly against journalist Malachi O’Doherty and columnist Ruth Dudley Edwards “have several characteristics of strategic lawsuits against public participation”.