Racehorse owner makes court room apology to Goffs for defamatory posts

The owner of a horse in training sold at Doncaster in 2011 has apologised before the High Court of Ireland to Goffs for making defamatory posts on social media about the bloodstock auction house.

In a statement read before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds on Thursday, James Carney apologised for posts he made following the sale of Sensational Sema - a winning hurdler who sold for £33,000 - at the 2011 DBS Spring Sale.

Carney, of Arklow, County Wicklow, accepted that the content of his posts were without any basis, agreed not to repeat his social media activity in the future, and withdrew complaints he made about Goffs and related entities to industry bodies, including the British Horseracing Authority and Horse Racing Ireland.

Robert J Goff and Co, Goffs Bloodstock Sales Ltd, Goffs UK Ltd and group chief executive Henry Beeby brought High Court proceedings against Carney alleging that he had defamed Goffs in a string of posts made across various social media platforms and in direct representations he allegedly made to a number of industry organisations.

Goffs said the allegations are untrue, defamatory and damaging to its reputation and sought damages, to include aggravated damages, for defamation against Carney.

On Thursday, Rossa Fanning appearing with Gary Compton for Goffs, told Ms Justice Reynolds the matter had been resolved between the parties.

It was agreed that the court could make certain orders, including that Carney remove all posts made regarding Goffs and Sensational Sema where any wrongdoing is alleged.

Carney’s apology was read to the court by his counsel, Neal Flynn. The proceedings were adjourned by the judge with liberty to re-enter.

The offending posts cannot be published after a judge made an order under Section 33 of the 2009 Defamation Act prohibiting the publication of the alleged defamation until further order of the court.

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