Gemma O'Doherty to stand trial for harassing Cavan mother
Former journalist not present when case called at local district court.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has instructed that Gemma O’Doherty, the journalist behind the monthly conspiratorial and far-right newspaper, The Irish Light, be tried on indictment for allegedly harassing a grieving Kingscourt mother.
Ms O’Doherty, with an address at a property on Corbawn Road, Shankhill, Dublin, is accused of harassing Edel Campbell on dates between May 30 and October 31, 2023.
In April this year, Sergeant James Martin McGovern applied to Cavan District Court to summons Ms O’Doherty to appear at Cavan District Court October 8. She wasn't present in court when the case was called, and the matter was put back to today (Thursday, November 5) when the 58-year-old known activist again did not appear.
Catherine Dolan, solicitor attached to A B O'Reilly Dolan & Company in Cootehill, informed Judge Mary McAveety she was acting on behalf of Ms Doherty’s solicitor’s firm based in Wicklow.
She asked that the court assign a hearing date for her case. But court presenter Sergeant Damien Galligan interjected, telling the judge that this would not be possible because the DPP had directed for Ms Doherty to be sent forward for trial to Cavan Circuit Court.
Judge McAveety then adjourned proceedings to December 12 for service of the book of evidence, further directing that the defendant, Ms O’Doherty, attend Cavan District Court on that date.
Ms O'Doherty began her career as a staff writer with the Irish Independent, contributing articles on travel, the criminal justice system and corruption, but was dismissed from her role in 2013.
In December 2022, Ms Campbell, the mother of Diego Gilsenan, a minor who died by suicide, requested the removal of her son's image, and that of 41 others, from the cover of The Irish Light. Their images had been used, in some cases without permission, in content posted online by Ms O'Doherty, and in a cover story of the freesheet, which attempted to link their deaths to the Covid vaccine.
In June 2023, the High Court granted an injunction restraining Ms O’Doherty (trading as The Irish Light) from harassing Ms Campbell, publishing images or confidential material concerning Campbell and her late son, Diego, and requiring the removal of such material from media under her control.
On October 9, 2026, the Supreme Court refused Ms O’Doherty leave to appeal the refusal to strike out the proceedings on freedom of expression grounds.
Ms O'Doherty ran as an Independent candidate in the Dublin Fingal constituency in the 2020 general election. She secured 1.97% of the total first preference vote, and was eliminated on the fifth count.