EXCLUSIVE: A case taken by former Finn Harps manager Patsy McGowan against the Football Association of Ireland has been dismissed by the High Court today.
The well-known Ballybofey man claimed he had been prevented from making a living after the FAI took two separate defamation cases against two newspapers – the Sunday People and the Donegal Democrat.
The case was heard this morning by President of the High Court, Justice Nicholas Kearns.
Both Mr McGowan and the CEO of the FAI, John Delaney were in court for the case.
Barrister for Mr McGowan, Desmond Murphy SC, said his client was an old age pensioner who had founded Finn Harps in 1969 and had given his life to football in Ireland.
He said the actions of the FAI had brought huge emotional damage and distress to him as well as financial loss of earnings.
Various submissions were made before the case even opened and before witnesses were heard.
Having listened to the opening remarks, Judge Kearns considered the matter.
He then ruled that he did not consider there was a case to proceed.
He ruled that a threat to initiate defamation proceedings on the face of it did not constitute and unlawful interference.
He also ordered costs to be awarded to the FAI in the case.
Mr McGowan was arguing that the FAI was to blame for his loss of newspaper columns, which came about after he allegedly defamed members of the FAI.
Speaking afterwards Mr McGowan said he was bitterly disappointed by the ruling.
“All I wanted to do was to have my say but I was not even given my chance to do that today,” he said.
Barrister Murphy, instructed by Letterkeny solicitor Patsy Gallagher, said he will appeal the case to the Supreme Court.
AT HEARING.