Absolute privilege is the cornerstone of democratic free speech. Politicians have it, judges have it. So do lawyers, jurors and witnesses. And with good reason. It allows those in the public realm to speak without fear of being criminally prosecuted or sued. While the landmark Supreme Court decision in the Angela Kerins Rehab case upset the apple cart by finding there were circumstances in which a Dail committee could be sued when it comes to fighting a claim of defamation, absolute privilege remains the gold standard defence, the closest thing to full immunity. So what happens if you believe you…

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