Sean Gallagher awarded damages - ''tweetgate''

Malayalam

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/rt-pays-sean-gallagher-substantial-damages-as-tweetgate-case-is-settled-36421036.html


Good for him. I rarely catch TV but happened to see that event unfold during the Presidential debate and thought how outrageous it was of the national broadcaster to impugn a person falsely in that manner. Regardless of the 'he said, she said' that came later on (which I'm sure people will bang on about), the whole scenario they concocted in that moment was propaganda/dirty tricks 101.

Hope he got a good oul chunk of cash.

Subcomandante Marcos

I've no problem with rte paying for this. Whatever it cost it was one of the best pieces of public expenditure in recent years if it helped keep that cretin out of the park.

Seems fair enough, they pretty much scuppered his campaign using false information.

The focus will be on Gallagher. The focus should be on RTE and every family in the country is obliged to pay to keep that bloated, bungling entity going...

Malayalam

Deleted User wrote: »

Seems fair enough, they pretty much scuppered his campaign using false information.

The focus will be on Gallagher. The focus should be on RTE and every family in the country is obliged to pay to keep that bloated, bungling entity going...

Yes, that's my take on it too. Regardless of skeletons or not in Gallagher's cupboard, it was false info that sank a campaign. Blatant political bias and undue influence from what is supposed to be the watchdog. Not that the fourth estate functions in that manner at all any more.

c_man

Heads should have rolled for that. Regardless of the candidate or election in question, having the state broadcaster using fake "news" to influence the vote is outrageous.

Has Gallagher ever made a cent that wasn't directly from the state coffers? He must be Ireland's ultimate welfare queen.

To think that people actually voted for him. Jesus.

Sergio Georgini

Sergio Georgini wrote: »

Has Gallagher ever made a cent that wasn't directly from the state coffers? He must be Ireland's ultimate welfare queen.

To think that people actually voted for him. Jesus.

Did Michael D Higgins not work as a lecturer and career politician?

Has he ever made a cent that was not from the state coffers?

c_man

Actually the one thing I did like about Sean G's campaign was that he didn't use posters. I hate election posters.

i71jskz5xu42pb

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

I've no problem with rte paying for this.

You've no problem with the *license payer* paying for this

Malayalam

Sergio Georgini wrote: »

Has Gallagher ever made a cent that wasn't directly from the state coffers? He must be Ireland's ultimate welfare queen.

To think that people actually voted for him. Jesus.

Logic is deficient here in the matter at hand. Regardless of what you think of Sean Gallagher - and 28% of the Irish people wanted him to be President, that's 28% more than ever wanted me or you to be President - the state broadcaster should not be allowed to unduly influence the public political process and democracy. If you wanted to act in some manner in a public capacity - however limited - how would you like if the public broadcaster carelessly (or perhaps even maliciously) impugned your reputation live on air in such a way that you could scarcely defend yourself? It's an attack at the root, see. Regardless of the personality involved.

Maybe Gallagher experienced the original ''Fake News'' attack? Maybe it was the Russians.

tayto lover

It was still the most entertaining thing I watched on tv in years though.

Malayalam

tayto lover wrote: »

It was still the most entertaining thing I watched on tv in years though.

Haha yeah, it was a bit of a 'gasp' moment

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Did Michael D Higgins not work as a lecturer and career politician?

Has he ever made a cent that was not from the state coffers?

As far as I was aware Michael D was an employee of the state providing excellent service as both a lecturer and representative, and not just creaming off "grant" money from his corrupt FF mates?

Or am I missing a bit of the Michael D story? Is Michael D an "entrepreneur" too??

Gallagher is indefensible. The only reason it affected him so badly was because he couldn't just say "that 100% never happened," because he wasn't bloody sure if it had or not. Up to his neck in it.

c_man

Sergio Georgini wrote: »

Or am I missing a bit of the Michael D story? Is Michael D an "entrepreneur" too??

He's certainly boosted the economy of the Aras, creating new positions which weren't there before, breaking the salary cap for numerous jobs and creating an "atmosphere" which has seen a high turn over in staff. Sounds like a capitalist entrepreneur to me

_Brian

Sergio Georgini wrote: »

As far as I was aware Michael D was an employee of the state providing excellent service as both a lecturer and representative, and not just creaming off "grant" money from his corrupt FF mates?

Or am I missing a bit of the Michael D story? Is Michael D an "entrepreneur" too??

Gallagher is indefensible. The only reason it affected him so badly was because he couldn't just say "that 100% never happened," because he wasn't bloody sure if it had or not. Up to his neck in it.

I agree.
Gallagher obviously flinched when this was tweeted. Because he wasn’t sure which skeleton was being shook, now as it turned out it was a stab in the dark, but not far off the mark I’d say.

the_syco

From https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/rt-pays-sean-gallagher-substantial-damages-as-tweetgate-case-is-settled-36421036.html

This related to a tweet read out by presenter Pat Kenny during the final televised debate of the campaign, prior to which Mr Gallagher was regarded as the frontrunner.

If one tweet caused the frontrunner to fall flat on his face, I'd wonder how strong his campaign was?

WoollyRedHat

I often wondered if Sean polishes his head or does the camera just add a shine.

Sergio Georgini

Sergio Georgini wrote: »

As far as I was aware Michael D was an employee of the state providing excellent service as both a lecturer and representative, and not just creaming off "grant" money from his corrupt FF mates?

Or am I missing a bit of the Michael D story? Is Michael D an "entrepreneur" too??

Gallagher is indefensible. The only reason it affected him so badly was because he couldn't just say "that 100% never happened," because he wasn't bloody sure if it had or not. Up to his neck in it.

I knew students of his who said he was lovely...but certainly were less than enamoured with him as a lecturer.

Anyway, you assert he was an excellent lecturer and politician. Could you point to his achievements as a public representative so we can judge this excellence and see was he worth the amount he was paid decade after decade after decade...

toxicity234

Very important this result from democracy in Ireland.
Kenny and RTE used a lie to take down and influence an election.

And if you want to see the damage a lie can do, just read this thread.
a lot of "no smoke without fire rubbish" around.

I won't have voted for Gallagher but still ran a excellent campaign and the Idea that Kenny use a lie to take him down is shocking.
Whatever about the night of the debate but the interview the following morning on the radio when the production team knew the Tweet was a lie and didn't make the correction.
That did more damage to journalism in Ireland than any other program I ever seen.

The production manager Laughing as Gallagher leaves the studio in the morning is awful.

Take the time and find that documentary about the election. Well worth a look now.

topper75

What is still shocking years afterwards is the low caliber candidates in that election.

Hopefully somebody with integrity can get that leprechaun champagne socialist banished out of there next year.

Rubberchikken

Maybe rte doesnt look good in that issue but the fact that people actually voted for that man. That without whatever was tweeted thst night we would now be looking at him as our president.
Few things make me want to grab and shake my head but that one does.

the_syco

toxicity234 wrote: »

Take the time and find that documentary about the election. Well worth a look now.

How biased is the documentary?

cantdecide

The licence payer should have every right to know how much the settlement was, I believe.

monnies

great to see the license fee going to a good cause,
also a big shout out to tubridy and darcy
money well spent

A Little Pony

Watched the debate and he should have been the President. Much better than the hobbit or terrorist candidate.

c_man

cantdecide wrote: »

The licence payer should have every right to know how much the settlement was, I believe.

I'd guess at least half a Joe Duffy.

BinLiner2

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

I've no problem with rte paying for this. Whatever it cost it was one of the best pieces of public expenditure in recent years if it helped keep that cretin out of the park.

He still managed to swing it for his dad

lertsnim

It was glorious television. Great to see him squirm.

murpho999

cantdecide wrote: »

The licence payer should have every right to know how much the settlement was, I believe.

Not if there is a legal confidentiality agreement between the parties.

RTE is part-funded by the licence payer but not run or managed by them.

cantdecide

murpho999 wrote: »

Not if there is a legal confidentiality agreement between the parties.

The point is there should be no confidentiality agreements with public money. If 7+ figure settlements can be announced for medical mistakes, I can't see any reason why an undisclosed mound of public money should be handed over without a word.

monnies

how do we know this wasn't planed by kenny and gallagher,
they are probaly diyying up the money now and laughing at us

James 007

lertsnim wrote: »

It was glorious television. Great to see him squirm.

Yah i taught the same, he seemed to have a chip on his shoulder at all times, saw him speak at one of those seminars in the RDS when he was a dragon, a guy that seemed to love himself too much. Cant hold a cavan man down when he smells the money.

monnies

monnies wrote: »

how do we know this wasn't planed by kenny and gallagher,
they are probaly diyying up the money now and laughing at us

Oh they probably are alright. You really convinced me with all the evidence that you have put forward to support your fraudulent claim theory.

Ulysses Gaze

Deleted User wrote: »

Oh they probably are alright. You really convinced me with all the evidence that you have put forward to support your fraudulent claim theory.

Who needs facts and evidence when you have conjecture and slander?

imme

Hopefully now he'll have enough money to stop his Sunday Independent 'column' where he meets business people,

(usually some useless sh1te)

and is there grinning moronically with the business owner.

I don't think it was a conspiracy by the Establishment OP to keep him from winning the presidential election.

BinLiner2

Is it true he's being lined up to play Kojak in a movie?

tayto lover

BinLiner2 wrote: »

Is it true he's being lined up to play Kojak in a movie?

No. They couldn't get big enough lollipops.

gifted

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I knew students of his who said he was lovely...but certainly were less than enamoured with him as a lecturer.

Anyway, you assert he was an excellent lecturer and politician. Could you point to his achievements as a public representative so we can judge this excellence and see was he worth the amount he was paid decade after decade after decade...

Why are you personalising it? You knew some students who weren't impressed with his lecturing?...that's a cheap shot at someone's credibility....

Regardless of what he did or did not do as a politician there is no reason to attack his professional ability especially when you weren't a student of his.

RobertKK

People who think what happened was good due to the outcome are supporting the national broadcaster putting lies about people into the public sphere.
They did it to a priest and only admitted they lied when on the doorsteps of the court...

People who were voting for Sean Gallagher and who then changed who they would vote for based on that tweet were very gullible and it showed how easy it is to brainwash people into believing something, 'it is RTE it must be true...'

RTE doesn't give unbiased information, they are like the people who call themselves influencers.

gifted

gifted wrote: »

Why are you personalising it? You knew some students who weren't impressed with his lecturing?...that's a cheap shot at someone's credibility....

Regardless of what he did or did not do as a politician there is no reason to attack his professional ability especially when you weren't a student of his.

I was responding to a post that referred to Higgins excellent service on behalf of the State, and contrasted it with Gallagher, whose credibility he questioned.

The other poster injected the personal into it. If you don't like that line, take it up with him, I merely responded.

dav3

Poor Sean. Although I'm sure he's done alright for himself since with all his Fianna Fail contacts that he amassed over the years.

The country dodged a bullet by not having him as president.

RobertKK

dav3 wrote: »

Poor Sean. Although I'm sure he's done alright for himself since with all his Fianna Fail contacts that he amassed over the years.

The country dodged a bullet by not having him as president.

We just got an idiot instead who signs the book of condolences for Fidel Castro. I have chatted with Cubans and they think our president is deluded when our president talked about "Fidel Castro will be remembered as a giant among global leaders whose view was not only one of freedom for his people but for all of the oppressed and excluded peoples of the planet".

I asked a Cuban who is heading back to Cuba for Christmas if the health system is as good as we are told, he said it is good for the people with money, but if you are poor it is very bad, and it is nothing for Cuba to be prod about.

We have our president who was elected on lies that helped him, telling lies as president as people in Cuba do not what we would regard as freedom.

Our current president is a disgrace.

gifted

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I was responding to a post that referred to Higgins excellent service on behalf of the State, and contrasted it with Gallagher, whose credibility he questioned.

The other poster injected the personal into it. If you don't like that line, take it up with him, I merely responded.

You merely got a cheap shot in....

dav3

RobertKK wrote: »

...Our current president is a disgrace.

Well we certainly don't want to be upsetting the fake Cubans.

meeeeh

A pot plant can be a president and it won't make a difference.

However state body falsley discrediting someone in an election is usually more common in some totalitarian countries. I don't think it was intentional but it's nothing to be proud or happy about. In fact I think heads should roll.

RobertKK

dav3 wrote: »

Well we certainly don't want to be upsetting the fake Cubans.

You should not imply I am telling lies, I know a Cuban quite well who lives in Florida.

BinLiner2

RobertKK wrote: »

You should not imply I am telling lies, I know a Cuban quite well who lives in Florida.

That a very small sample size has to be said

RobertKK

BinLiner2 wrote: »

That a very small sample size has to be said

Yet more experience of living in a Cuba that our current President says has freedom thanks to Fidel Castro...the evidence is with all the Cubans who fled the country for political reasons.

The tweet keeping Gallagher out was the best thing about the whole campaign.

Absolute spoofer.

BinLiner2

RoboKlopp wrote: »

The tweet keeping Gallagher out was the best thing about the whole campaign.

Absolute spoofer.

Htf did a bluffer like him ever become a candidate?

jojofizzio

BinLiner2 wrote: »

Htf did a bluffer like him ever become a candidate?

I refer the right honorable gentleman to the incumbent of the post in the US of A:D:D:D