Gemma O'Doherty has strongly rejected claims that she harassed the mother of a young man who took his own life. The self-styled "investigative journalist" also told the High Court that any attempt to jail her for alleged contempt would be "outrageous and unlawful". Ms O'Doherty was arrested by Gardaí and brought before the High Court yesterday. Gemma O'Doherty could face jail over her failure to comply with the terms of an injunction obtained by Kingscourt mother Edel Campbell. The injunction was granted as part of proceedings Ms Campbell has brought against Ms O'Doherty, over the use of the image of her deceased son Diego Gilsenan in the "Irish Light" newspaper, which is edited by Gemma O'Doherty. Following Mr Gilsenan's death by suicide in August 2021 it is claimed that Ms O'Doherty used Ms Campbell's son's image in an article which it is claimed wrongly stated that he died as a result of the administration of the Covid-19 vaccination.
Ms O'Doherty was ordered to remove Mr Gilsenen's images from any media platforms under the defendant's control, or from publishing any images of Ms Campbell and her family on any medium. It is claimed that in a series of video posts by Ms O'Doherty last year, the defendant made statements in clear disregard and in breach of the court's orders. This led to the application against Ms O'Doherty over her alleged contempt. Yesterday, Ms O'Doherty, appeared before the court without her legal representative being present or without any court documents. She said the plaintiff's complaints are an attempt to prevent her from doing her job as "an award-winning" investigative reporter who cares about persons whose deaths she alleged have been "covered up". Ms O'Doherty told the judge: "If you do jail me, it would be jailing me for being an investigative journalist, I would not like to be in your shoes." She added that such an action would make "news all over the world". Edel Campbell said the unauthorised and repeated use of her son's image has caused her emotional pain, suffering and harm. Ms O'Doherty rejects all of the allegations of wrongdoing made against her and says she removed the image as a gesture of goodwill. The judge in the case agreed to adjourn the application to later this week to allow Gemma O'Doherty obtain instructions and have her lawyer present in court, as well as to obtain all the relevant legal documents in the case. Ms O'Doherty was released from Garda custody following the hearing.
