Ashling Murphy's boyfriend settles "incitement to hatred" defamation case with BBC

Ryan Casey, the boyfriend Irish schoolteacher Ashling Murphy who was murdered by Jozef Puska in Co Offaly in January 2022, settled his defamation case with the BBC in the High Court today, Thursday, July 3.

Casey had launched action against the broadcaster following comments made by Irish journalist Kitty Holland on BBC's "The View" in November 2023 about the impact statement he had delivered in court during Puska's murder trial.

In his victim impact statement, Casey highlighted how Puska had lived off the Irish State for ten years and had "never once contribute[d] to society in any way, shape, or form."

He said: "I feel like this country is no longer the country that Ashling and I grew up in, and has officially lost its innocence when a crime of this magnitude can be perpetrated in broad daylight.

He further said: "We have to once and for all start putting the safety of not only Irish people but everybody in this country who works hard, pays taxes, raises families and overall contributes to society first."

On "The View," Holland said elements of Casey's statement were "not good" and "incitement to hatred," and that Casey was "being held up as a hero of the far-right now."

Holland said the media was "right" to not include all of Casey's comments when reporting on his statement.

"I don't think that they [Casey's comments] were helpful," she said on the BBC programme.

"It's the kind of thing that the far-right latches onto. They latched onto the nationality of the man who attacked the children.

"I'd love them to go down to the courts and report on all the white Irish men who are perpetrating violence on Irish and immigrant women every day in court. They are not doing that.

"So, the problem here is the violence against women and children - it's not the nationality of people who are perpetrating it. The problem is misogyny and hatred, and entitlement to inflict violence on women and children.

"It's another related issue and ill in society, but it has nothing to do with race."

BBC does not consider Ryan Casey "guilty of or attempting to incite hatred"

According to the Irish Times, Alan Keating SC, on behalf of the BBC, read out a statement on the settlement of the case in court on Thursday: “In the BBC’s November 30th, 2023 episode of its live political programme 'The View,' Mr. Ryan Casey’s victim impact statement at the sentencing of his late partner’s murderer was discussed.

“The BBC stands by the journalism involved in this episode, which debated serious issues of public interest.

“The BBC is happy to clarify that it does not consider Ryan Casey to be a criminal or a racist or someone guilty of or attempting to incite hatred, or someone seeking to pose as a hero of the far right through his victim impact statement.

“The BBC acknowledges Mr. Casey’s personal tragedy. This statement clarifies any unintentional inferences that could have been drawn from the broadcast and has enabled the BBC and Ryan Casey to resolve this matter amicably.”

Justice Alexander Owens struck out the case and made no order.

Casey's settlement is reportedly a six-figure sum.

"Finally free to use my voice again"

In a statement released to the media on Thursday following the settlement, Casey said: “Today marks the end of a long and difficult chapter of frustration and censorship.

“I took this legal action against the BBC not solely out of anger but out of a need for accountability and dignity for Ashling, for myself, our families, and for all victims who deserve to have their voices heard without such harsh criticism or judgment.

“I welcome the resolution of these legal proceedings and the acknowledgements made by the BBC in their statement in open court today.

“I hope this serves as a reminder to all media organisations of the high level of responsibility that comes with running such public platforms.

“This was never just about me, it was about truth, fairness, and decency.

“To everyone who supported me either in person, by post, text messages, phone calls, social media posts and comments over the last three-and-a-half years: I can now finally come forward and say from the bottom of my heart thanks to each and every one of you.

“Don’t think for a second I didn’t see all your amazing support across all platforms, it was humbling to say the least.

“I’d like to thank my lawyers, Ronan [Lupton SC], Gerard [Groarke BL] and Marianne [Deeley, solicitor] for their fantastic guidance, support, and professionalism throughout the entire legal proceedings.

“I now move forward, finally free to use my voice again, to honour Ashling and to advocate for the changes we desperately require in this country, for the increased safety measures we so desperately need, and for a society that listens to its people, free of gaslighting, blacklisting or censorship.

“We all have a lot more in common than what separates us.

“Let’s honour Ashling by building a better and safer Ireland, we all know we can do so much better."