Cathal BarryProf. Patricia Casey claims it is unfair of Mr Norris to criticise the national broadcaster for making payment to others while seeking damages himself
David Norris had been accused of ‘double standards’ after demanding defamation money paid out by RTÉ during the recent homophobia controversy be returned to the broadcaster, while pursuing his own libel action against the station.
The Independent senator has been fiercely critical of RTÉ for agreeing to pay out damages to a range of Catholic commentators, including members of the Iona Institute.
However, Iona Institute member Prof. Patricia Casey hit back this week, claiming it is unfair of Mr Norris to criticise the national broadcaster for making payment to others while seeking damages himself.
Speaking to The Irish Catholic this week, Prof. Casey said: “Anyone who has been defamed has the right to defend their good name and to take whichever steps they see fit to vindicate claims against them. He seems to have one law for himself and one for everybody else which is something he needs to reflect on.”
Mr Norris is suing journalist and critic Helen Lucy Burke and RTÉ Commercial Enterprises alleging libel over views aired on a Liveline programme months before the 2011 presidential election, which Mr Norris contested.
Mr Norris claims his reputation was damaged by that broadcast, and a subsequent one, and alleges the words used in them meant, among other things, that he held evil beliefs and was unfit to be president or to hold public office.