Courts / Ireland / Report

Mother and young son settle defamation claim against HSE over social media postings

Summary

In a High Court settlement on 6 May 2015, a mother and her young son, who had been in foster care more than three years earlier, agreed to receive €40,000 from the Health Services Executive (HSE) to resolve defamation and privacy claims. The mother alleged that foster parents had posted false, highly defamatory remarks about her on Facebook in early 2012, including pictures of the child, and that the HSE had breached privacy, confidence and statutory duties by allowing such posts. She claimed the posts caused ridicule, contempt and damage to her character, and that her constitutional and European Convention rights to privacy were violated. The son also alleged a breach of privacy. The HSE was accused of negligence for failing to train foster parents on social media use or provide a policy.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mother and young son settle defamation claim against HSE over social media postings. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 2015-05-06 Publication

Why: The HSE, they argued, had been negligent because it failed to ensure the foster parents received adequate or any training in regards to the use of social media, or in respect of the entitlement to privacy. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Social Media Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report