It wasnt slander it was the truth and sometimes that hurts! Dunphy was dead right and said what most of us were thinking anyway.
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Had a listen to what he said. Basically its all fair comment - a critical analysis of his football record. He states nothing but facts about Venables' run ins with the law so I don't think TV would have a leg to stand on in court.
The nearest precedent is Kewell suing Lineker
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4072964.stm
but the jury failed to reach a verdict
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4099720.stm
Pretty fine and balanced arguement there by the Dunph.
All his statements supported by facts/examples. Ten days of research behind what he was saying. As a PR expert, Im sure Bill would have drawn him back into line if he thought he was crossing it as he has done before, if not for Eamon, for RTEs sake.
It would take more than 10 minutes researching Dunphy's own altercations with the law and the many attacks on leading figures in Irish life which ended up in the High Court. He cost the Independent Group well over €600,000 in libel damages during his time at the paper.
People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.