View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
October 5, 2010

Susan Boyle manager sues the Daily Mail

By Sarah Limbrick

Irish financial advisor Ossie Kilkenny, who is masterminding Susan Boyle’s career, is suing Associated Newsapapers for alleged libel.

Kilkenny, 63, who also worked with supergroup U2, The Verve, and Bryan Adams, is suing over a Daily Mail story headed ‘Family at war over SuBo’s millions”.

The story claimed there were substantial grounds to suspect that due to his track record of dishonesty, lack of integrity, and history of dissolved companies, he might dishonestly enrich himself by exploiting Susan Boyle, he says.

Kilkenny, a retired accountant on the board of directors of the Special Olympics, says the story, which appeared in March, was defamatory.

Now he is demanding unlimited damages of more than £300,000, and an injunction banning the repetition of the allegations at the centre of his claim.

The story was accompanied by a photo of him captioned ‘Battling: Ossie Kilkenny (left) represents Susan, but some mistrust him”.

Dublin-based Kilkenny says the story seriously injured his personal and professional reputation, and left him distressed and embarrassed.

Content from our partners
Free journalism awards for journalists under 30: Deadline today
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition

The story remained on the Daily Mail’s website until the day after his solicitors complained, he says.

He has instructed Nicholas Armstrong of Charles Russell to bring his claim against the publishers.

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network