Courts / Ireland / Report
Michael Lowry to pay own legal costs after Digifone mobile license case
Summary
In a High Court hearing on 12 May 2016, Independent TD Michael Lowry was ordered to pay his own legal costs after being added as a third‑party defendant in a case brought by Persona Digital Telephony. The company alleged that Denis O'Brien's Esat Digifone consortium had secured a 1996 mobile‑phone licence by bribing then‑communications minister Michael Lowry, an allegation denied by the company. The court had earlier refused a request for third‑party funding from an English firm. Justice Aileen Donnelly ruled that O'Brien, who was added to the proceedings by the High Court, was entitled to costs as a defendant, and she also awarded costs to the State. Lowry, however, was not a defendant in the original case and was added by the State; the court found his involvement unnecessary and therefore he was not entitled to have his costs paid.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Michael Lowry to pay own legal costs after Digifone mobile license case. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- 2016-05-12 Publication
Why: She said that Mr O'Brien was entitled to his costs because he is a defendant in the case and had been added on by the High Court. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Places mentioned
- High Court
Topics
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