O'Brien: I have 'never experienced this level of hatred'
Denis O'Brien says there is a "feeding frenzy" on him as media organisations go to the High Court today for clarification on whether comments made in the Dáil about his banking arrangements with IBRC can be reported.
The comments were made in the chamber last week by Independent TD Catherine Murphy.
In the normal course, media reports of the comments made by Ms Murphy about Mr O'Brien's dealings with IBRC would be covered by Dáil privilege.
However, in this instance there is uncertainty because of an existing High Court order prohibiting RTE and any media outlet on notice of the order reporting details of that very same subject.
Mr O'Brien has said that Murphy’s statements were “erroneous and untruthful” in an opinion piece in today’s Irish Times in which he also says he has “never experienced this level of hatred”.
He also claims that the RTÉ story breached his privacy and the details given to Ms Murphy were “stolen”. She says her sources are very reliable, but he has challenged her to show him the files.
"For me this was an intrusion too far. Over the past several years, some of the media in Ireland has become more and more vicious and invasive and this was a deliberate attempt to misrepresent my personal banking relationship."
The businessman also says that there is a “feeding frenzy” on him and accused the former Justice Minister Michael McDowell of having an “agenda” against him.
He said: "It is done behind the cloak of secrecy and anonymity and the principle that 'my enemy’s enemy is my friend'. Social media being used for this purpose is crowded with cowards."
“I have never experienced the level of abuse, venom and hatred resulting from taking a stand to protect privacy in relation to my financial affairs.”
The case, which may not be decided today, has caused a storm because media organisations are unsure if they are free to cover the story in full and some are now going to court to clarify whether the terms of the order extend to comments made in the Dáil.
The matter is further complicated by claims from Mr O'Brien's side and former IBRC Chairman Alan Dukes that some of the deputy's remarks about the businessman's banking arrangments are wrong.
