Cork fishermen are set to take UK daily newspaper the Guardian to court for defamation over an article published last November alleging that migrant workers in Ireland were being mistreated in the fishing industry, reports TheJournal.ie
Lenny Hyde and Pat O’Mahony are owners of a ‘Labardie Fishing Boat,’ said the men’s Cork-based solicitor John Boylan. The Guardian article published on the 2nd of November recounted allegations made by a fisherman from the Philippines about his mistreatment during time spent on an Irish fishing vessel named in the article as Labardie Fisher.
‘We confirm that High Court proceedings for defamation have been issued on behalf of Leonard Hyde and Pat O’Mahony, the joint owners of the Labardie Fishing Boat,’ the statement reads, continuing to the effect that compensation and a full apology from the Guardian are sought.
According to the statement, the allegations reported by the Guardian have since been withdrawn, with the fisherman concerned accepting that he was well treated during his two months fishing in Irish waters.
The Guardian has not commented beyond confirming that a claim had been lodged high court in Dublin.
