Social media is alight with support for Ryan Casey, Ashling Murphy’s boyfriend.
People are saying that he deserved the settlement and warranted a meaningful apology.
The partner of murdered schoolteacher Ashling Murphy has reached a settlement in his High Court defamation case against the BBC, reports RTE.
Ryan Casey, 27, brought legal action against the broadcaster following the airing of a live political show, The View, on 30 November 2023.
The episode aired just under two weeks after Mr Casey delivered a victim impact statement during the sentencing of Jozef Puska, who was convicted of murdering Ms Murphy, reports RTE.
Ashling Murphy was attacked and killed by Puska on 12 January 2022 while she was walking along the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
Originally from Slovakia, Puska stabbed Ms Murphy 11 times in the neck during what was described as a random act of violence.
During the trial, he falsely claimed that a masked man had carried out the murder and had also injured him. However, the jury found him guilty, reports RTE.
In a related development, Puska’s brothers, Marek and Lubomir Junior, were found guilty last month of concealing information, while his sisters-in-law, Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova, were convicted of destroying evidence by burning his clothing.
His wife, Lucia Istokova, admitted to withholding information and entered a guilty plea, reports RTE.
During court proceedings this morning, a statement was read on behalf of the BBC, which maintained confidence in the journalism behind the broadcast, noting that the episode addressed important issues in the public interest.
TheLiberal.ie won’t quit
Please support us with a small donation on PayPal!
However, the statement clarified that the broadcaster did not view Mr Casey as a criminal, a racist, someone attempting to stir up hatred, or as seeking to present himself as a far-right figure through his victim impact statement, reports RTE.
The statement, delivered by Senior Counsel Alan Keating, also expressed the BBC’s recognition of Mr Casey’s personal loss.
He explained that the clarification addressed any unintended interpretations that might have been drawn from the episode and allowed both parties to bring the issue to a close amicably.
Senior Counsel Ronan Lupton, representing Mr Casey, confirmed to Mr Justice Alex Owens that the case could now be struck out, reports RTE.
It is believed Mr Casey received significant compensation, including legal costs, with the total amount reaching a six-figure sum.
Following the settlement, Mr Casey said the resolution brought closure to a long and painful period marked by frustration and a feeling of being silenced, reports RTE.
He emphasized that his actions were not for personal gain, but driven by principles of justice, integrity, and respect.
Mr Casey said his legal challenge was motivated not simply by anger, but by a need to ensure accountability and to uphold dignity—for Ashling, himself, their families, and all victims who, in his view, deserve to speak without undue criticism or judgment, reports RTE.
He expressed his hope that this case would remind media outlets of the heavy responsibility attached to managing influential public platforms.
Mr Casey extended his gratitude to all those who had supported him over the last three-and-a-half years—through letters, messages, phone calls, and social media—as well as to his legal team, reports RTE.
He said he could now speak freely again in Ashling’s memory and push for critical reforms that he believes are urgently needed across the country.
He added that these reforms should include enhanced safety measures and that his advocacy would aim to build a society that listens to its people “free of gaslighting, blacklisting or censorship,” reports RTE.
Mr Casey concluded by saying, “we all have a lot more in common than what separates us.” He called on the public to honour Ashling by striving to create a better and safer Ireland.
“We all know we can do so much better,” he added, reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
