Independent news publications could be “one libel action away from doom” if the defamation laws in Ireland are not reformed, an Oireachtas committee has heard. Dave O’Connell, editor of The Connaught Tribune and a member of Local Ireland, which represents 33 publishers, was addressing the Joint Committee on Media.. “The current legislation on defamation is not fit for purpose,” Mr. O’Connell said. “It’s the legal fees that are killing us.” “One half-decent action without any malicious intent could close us down,” he warned, adding that the publication could be “one libel action away from doom”. Following a review of the...