The action by Ronnie Delany, which relates to letters allegedly published to individuals in Ireland, including businessman Paddy McKillen, and elsewhere on 13 April last, is against the Maybourne Hotels Ltd, which owns and operates The Berkeley, Claridge's and The Connaught hotels in London, and the group's Chief Executive Officer Mr Marc Socker.
Mr Delany, with an address at Chatham Street, Dublin 2, claims that letters published by the hotel group and Mr Socker, in their capacity as servants and agents of the Qatari defendants, contained material that has defamed him.As a result, he has sued the four parties seeking damages, including exemplary and punitive damages for alleged defamation, conspiracy against him and the infliction of loss against him by unlawful means.
In his action he seeks declarations from the court that the contents of letters contained statements that defamed him and injured his reputation. Following submissions from Paul McGarry SC for Mr Delany, the judge granted the plaintiff permission to serve notice of the proceedings on the defendants.Counsel said that it is hoped that all four defendants will be served in the UK, at the group's registered address in Knightsbridge in London.