Legal

Sinn Féin will not assist Gerry Kelly with £150,000 bill from failed defamation suit

Party said legal actions are ‘entirely a matter for individuals involved’

Gerry Kelly: Sinn Féin MLA’s defamation case against Malachi O’Doherty over two radio interviews where he said Kelly had shot a prison officer was struck out on Monday. Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Gerry Kelly will have to personally fund the substantial costs of his failed legal action against journalist Malachi O’Doherty, which could top £150,000 (€174,324), Sinn Féin has confirmed.

Kelly, the Sinn Féin MLA, took a defamation case in 2020 against O’Doherty over two radio interviews where he said Kelly had shot a prison officer. Kelly had said that his reputation and character had been “gravely damaged” by the comments.

On Monday, the High Court in ...