To be fair and balanced, as they say, it might also be useful to note and learn from the following:
http://www.independent.ie/irish-new...s-for-vitriolic-personal-attack-34659037.html
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Judge O’Donohoe also gave judgment in a second case in which Collins, a chiropractor, of The Boulevard, Mount Eustace, Tyrelstown, Dublin 15, and Scientologist Michael O’Donell, a marketing consultant of Cherrywood Lawn, Clondalkin, Dublin, sued Griffiths and also embalmer John McGhee, of Armstrong Grove, Clara, Co Offaly, for assault and battery.
The judge said Mr McGhee had followed Ms Collins and Mr O’Donnell in Dublin as they distributed leaflets against drug taking. From a video he had seen it was very clear to him that Mr McGhee had certainly been guilty of assault. His harassing of her and the grabbing by him of leaflets constituted battery.
Judge O’Donohoe told barrister Frank Beatty, counsel for Ms Collins, that his client could be heard letting out a “shrill shriek” on the video which indicated to the court that she was apprehensive of a battering from Mr McGhee who did not turn up in court today to hear the judgment.
The judge awarded Ms Collins and Mr O’Donnell a total of €3,500 against McGhee for assault and battery. Mr Griffiths, he said, had played a lesser role by videoing the assault but had consorted with Mr McGhee and for harassment and assault he awarded Collins and O’Donnell €2,000 damages against Griffiths.
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In summary, it is important to note that there were two entirely separate incidents, and thus two separate claims (if not lawsuits), that each had to be judged on their own merits.
In the first, Zabrina Collins allegedly defamed Peter Griffiths. Collins was found liable and ordered to pay Griffiths €5,000 in damages.
In the second, separate, incident John McGhee allegedly harassed and battered Zabrina Collins and Michael O’Donell. McGhee was found liable and ordered to pay Collins and O'Donell €3,500. Griffiths filmed the incident and was found to have "consorted" with McGhee (my guess, the Irish equivalent of "conspired") and was ordered to pay Collins and O'Donell €2,000 in damages.