Irish News Front Page 17th April 2023:
Around 50 taxi drivers and tour guides are to launch legal action after delegates attending a British intelligence-linked cyber security event in Belfast this week were warned not to take black cab tours ‘because they are run by the IRA’.
Solicitors say defamation proceedings are to be launched after the false claims were made in a briefing paper ahead of a conference organised by a body linked to the British government’s secret General Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).
One of the most high profile British intelligence agencies, GCHQ is responsible for electronic and other forms of surveillance.
The untrue claims about the taxi industry were made in a security briefing document ahead of this week’s CyberUK 2023 conference, which will be held in Belfast on Wednesday and Thursday.
The gathering is being organised by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and is being billed as a “flagship cyber event”.
Among its roles the NCSC, which is part of GCHQ, helps protect from cyber attacks and improves internet security.
It has been reported that a contractor, Bray Leino Events, which is helping with this week’s conference, advised its staff not to take black cab tours of Belfast’s famous wall murals claiming they are run by the IRA.
Staff were also instructed not to walk through housing estates near the city centre, along with the claim that some districts do not welcome English accents.
It was later reported that in a statement Bray Leino Events acknowledged that “statements made in an internal document for event support staff have caused offence” while an apology was made and the document withdrawn.
The NCSC also distanced itself from the offending document saying it was sent in error by a contractor and contains “significant factual inaccuracies”.
Solicitor Michael Brentnall, of Brentnall Legal, said he has been instructed to take legal action on behalf of several clients including one taxi firm with multiple drivers.
“Whilst the comments have been made on behalf of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is a part of GCHQ, these comments are in our view plainly defamatory, utterly inexcusable, gratutious and a throwback to attitudes of a bygone day,” he said.
“Accordingly, any action will be directed at GCHQ, of which NCSC is a part.”
Solicitor Darragh Mackin
Darragh Mackin, Of Phoenix Law, represents almost 50 people who are taking legal action
“This is the most egregious attack on the character of an industry in recent times,” he said.
“We have now initiated the process of seeking redress for our clients, their reputations, and the wider industry, to hold those to account and make them put their money where their mouth is.”
GCHQ was contacted.
If you have been affected by this article, please contact our expert Data Protection & Media Team below.
Darragh Mackin
Diarmuid Brecknell
Victoria Haddock
Partner
Darragh Mackin
Darragh Mackin has been described as ‘a rising star on the international legal scene’ (Irish Times), a ‘Champion of the Cause’ (The Parchment) and ‘a man for all seasons, needed for all sorts of reasons’ (Belfast Telegraph). In July 2016, Darragh was the first ever Ireland based Lawyer to be nominated, and in turn to win, an award at the prestigious London Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards. In 2025, he was one of the Partners that led the team to winning the LEAP ‘Special Recognition Award’ in Dublin and the LALY ‘Law Firm of the Year’ Award in London.
He has developed a specialist practice in Human Rights, Public Law, Litigation and International law. He has appeared in some of the most high profile cases in Ireland and Internationally. This includes acting for the Hooded Men in their victory in the London Supreme Court, for Sarah Ewart in her challenge to the law on Abortion in Northern Ireland, the families in the Stardust fire Inquest in which a verdict of Unlawful Killing was returned and acting for the Irish rap group Kneecap in their successful challenge to Kemi Badenoch and her decision to withhold funding for the group. He currently acts for the Summerland families in their campaign for a fresh investigation into the fire on the Isle of Man.
He regularly advises high profile individuals and companies both domestically and internationally, with a particular specialism in Reputation Management, Defamation and Data Protection. Given Darragh’s unique experience, he has become the go to lawyer for actions with a digital perspective, appearing in the landmark successful challenge to voice recognition technology and in the first domestic case relating to Cryptocurrency. His unique specialism in the field of digital evidence has resulted in him often being instructed in complex commercial litigation involving data protection principles, the use of AI (artificial intelligence) and the misuse of the internet and social media platforms.
He has acted in cases at all levels including in the Supreme Courts in London and Dublin, The European Court of Human Rights, the African Commission on Human Rights and the United Nations Special Procedures.
He has acted for some of the most well known non-governmental organisations including Amnesty International, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, and Extinction Rebellion. He has been instructed and advised on cases all around the World, including the USA, Spain, France, Italy, Sri Lanka, Malawi, the Cayman Islands and St Helena. His unique international law experience has resulted in him often being instructed to advise Irish and British Citizens overseas on issues of international law.
Darragh has also successfully secured some of the largest settlements in the jurisdiction including the payment of £16.7million to NI Taxi Drivers arising of the NI Covid Pandemic and €24million to the families of the Stardust fire. He is currently retained in a high value claim on behalf of a Chinese based company initiating action in Belfast, and in a multi million euro claim in Dublin, arising out of insurance contracts to hoteliers during the covid pandemic.
In addition to practice, Darragh is an associate lecturer of Public and Administrative Law at the University of Ulster and has delivered a number of guest lectures at Cambridge University, Trinity University, Queens University Belfast, and Dublin City University.
NOTABLE CASES
HUMAN RIGHTS & PUBLIC LAW
Sarah Ewart & Amnesty International (The Abortion Litigation)
Darragh has appeared in many of the seminal human rights cases in recent times in Ireland. He acted for Sarah Ewart and Amnesty International to which saw the law changed in respect of abortion in Northern Ireland. Darragh was also labelled The Times ‘Lawyer of the Week’ for his work on this case.
The Hooded Men (Ireland v UK)
Darragh was instructed in the landmark torture case of the Hooded Men in the application for revision of the Ireland v United Kingdom 1978 decision by the European Court of Human Rights. Following Darragh’s success before the UK Supreme Court that the decision not to investigate was unlawful, the Chief Constable formally apologised to the Hooded Men.
The relevant media footage can be accessed here: CNN, RTE, BBC, and the Journal.
JR87 – Challenge to Religious Education in Northern Ireland
JR87 was the landmark legal case on behalf of a child who challenged the nature of religious education (RE) and collective worship in Northern Ireland schools. In 2025, the London Supreme Court found that the exclusively Christian-focused RE and collective worship, as delivered under the existing core syllabus in NI schools, breaches the human rights of children and parents. The case has far-reaching implications for education law across the UK.
The relevant media footage can be accessed here and here.
Aidan McAnespie
Darragh was instructed by the family of Aidan McAnespie who was killed by a British Soldier having been shot in the back whilst walking to a football game 1988. On June 2018, on foot of an application lodged on behalf of the family, a decision was taken to prosecute David Holden for the killing. In February 2023, this resulted in the first prosecution of a British Soldier post the Good Friday Agreement.
The relevant media footage can be accessed here and here.
The Judgment can be accessed here.
The Brexit Case – Gina Miller No.1
In 2016, Gina Miller initiated legal action arising out of the controversial use of the then Government’s prerogative to execute Brexit, and to leave the EU. A group of individuals including two British citizens living in France, a Gibraltarian national, a Welsh citizen and Fergal McFerran, president of NUS-USI formed the ‘peoples challenge’. Darragh was instructed as part of the legal team compiled to represent the peoples challenge in the Brexit Supreme Court case. This case has been dubbed by legal commentators as one of the most significant constitutional cases of the decade.
The relevant media footage can be viewed here and here.
The Legacy Act – Martina Dillon & Others
Darragh was instructed as part of the team on behalf of the lead applicants in the seminal case which challenged the British Government’s contentious ‘Legacy Act’ which sought to enact legislation to grant amnesties and immunity to perpetrators for acts committed during the period known as a ‘the Troubles’ in Northern Ireland. The NI Court of Appeal found that certain provisions of the legislation were unlawful and incompatible with human rights.
The relevant media footage can be accessed here.
Other Cases:
The Glenanne Series: Re Edward Barnard judicial review successfully compelled the PSNI to investigate the murders of more than 120 people arising out of allegations of state collusion. The Court found it was unlawful not to investigate, and as a result, an independent police force was tasked to investigate (Op Denton).
Loughgall (Re Brigid Hughes): Instructed by the Loughgall Truth & Justice Campaign and the families bereaved as a result of the shootings at Loughgall on 8th May 1987. Darragh successfully secured a fresh inquest following a judicial review challenge to the decision by the Secretary of State to issue a ‘National Security Sensitive’ Certificate. Following this, Darragh appeared in the landmark case of Re Brigid Hughes which found that the then former first Minister Arlene Foster MLA had acted unlawfully in failing to release the funding for Legacy Inquests. The relevant media footage can be accessed here:
Legacy Victims Pensions: Re Brian Turley was the successful judicial review against the Government to implement and fund the Legacy Victims Pension Scheme. The relevant media footage can be accessed here and here.
Covid School Closure: Re JR105 was the judicial review taken by the parent of the child at the inception of the Covid Pandemic arguing for their immediate closure to protect life. The case was widely reported here, here and here.
INTERNATIONAL
Kneecap
Acted for the Irish Rap Band Kneecap in their challenge to the decision by the British Government to charge Mo Chara with terrorist offences following a concert in London. Instructed by the band to lead their International legal team which involved proceedings in London, USA and Canada.
Ibrahim Halawa
Darragh acted for the Irish Teenager, Ibrahim Halawa, who was detained whilst on holiday in Cairo, Egypt and who was put on mass trial at risk of the death penalty. Darragh acted for Ibrahim in seeking his return to Ireland, making submissions before the EU Parliament, the African Commission on Human Rights and the United Nations. In October 2017 Ibrahim Halawa was acquitted of all charges before the Egyptian Courts and repatriated to Ireland.
Media coverage of the UN Intervention is available here. The relevant media footage can be accessed here and here.
Carles Puigdemont
In 2018, Darragh was one of the lawyers who travelled to Brussels to meet the then president of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont and provided advice and assistance in respect of his ongoing bid against the extradition proceedings issued by the state of Spain.
Private Sean Rooney
Instructed on behalf of the Irish Soldier Private Seán Rooney who was murdered whilst on peacekeeping duty in Lebanon on behalf of the United Nations. Darragh appears domestically before the Coroner’s Court in Dublin for the family, and is retained to advise on the criminal proceedings currently ongoing in Lebanon.
The Tamil Community
Darragh was retained on behalf of a number of individuals from the Tamil Community in a variety of actions arising out of the conflict in Sri Lanka. He acted in a ground-breaking case in for a Tamil widow against the PSNI in seeking damages for their role in providing training to the Sri Lankan police in 1986. In addition, he was retained to act on behalf of an individual who challenged his conviction for involvement with the Tamil Tigers, on the basis that the trial process was contrary to international law, and the confession was obtained by torture.
The relevant media footage can be viewed here and here. The Tamil Guardian also covered the story here. In addition, the latter case can be accessed here.
Lisa Smith
Lisa Smith was a former Irish army soldier who travelled to Syria, and was eventually detained by the Turkish authorities as a suspected ISIS fighter. Darragh acted for Lisa in successfully securing her and her daughter’s repatriation to Ireland. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights & Counter Terrorism intervened in Lisa’s case. Lisa was the first alleged ISIS bride ever to be returned to Ireland.
The relevant media footage can be accessed here and here.
Encrochat – French Court of Cassation
Instructed with Binsard Martine in the landmark challenge on behalf of Sam McCaughey before the French Court of Cassation regarding the admissibility of the Encrochat evidence in Courts in Northern Ireland. This is the first challenge of its kind launched on the international sphere challenging the admissibility domestically in NI.
The media coverage of the case is available here.
Other Cases:
Keyu & Others (UK Supreme Court) case relating to the massacre at Batang Kali, Malaysia. Acted for the interveners the Pat Finucane Centre and Rights Watch UK.
Bilal Abdul Kareem v Gina Cheri Haspel et al (USA Court of Appeal District of Columbia) – Proceedings against the American State policy on the use of drones in the taking of life.
REPUTATION MANAGEMENT AND DEFAMATION
Bob Vylan v RTE
Instructed on behalf of the musician Bob Vlyan in his defamation proceedings against the Irish National Broadcaster RTÉ arising out of his performance at Glastonbury.
Kneecap v Vince Gasparro
Instructed on behalf of the Irish Rap Group Kneecap in their defamation proceedings against the Canadian MP Vince Gasparro arising out of a video to which he published on the social media site X (formerly known as Twitter).
Actions against Big Tech
Darragh has been instructed on a number of occasions to sue big tech in which social media, the internet, or AI has been misused. This has included bringing proceedings having data deleted from the internet under the principles of the right to be forgotten (OH v Google), injunctions seeking the removal of content published online (the case of ZXY) and suing for damages in which Big Tech or the Social Media giants have acted improperly or unlawfully (the Facebook moderator case and EH v Meta).
Other Cases:
Re Fine Point Films – Darragh acted for the International media organisations, Index on Censorship and the English PEN who intervened in the successful judicial review challenge to a search warrant imposed on two investigative journalists, Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey.
Phil Miller – acted for the renowned investigative journalist Phil Miller in an appeal against the Information Commissioner relating to a report withheld by the PSNI regarding the structure of MI5 in 1973.
COMMERCIAL AND LITIGATION
High Value Commercial Litigation
Darragh has been instructed in some of the highest value commercial claims before the Courts in Ireland and the UK, to include:
- Instructed in a seven figure claim on behalf of a number of Hotel Owners arising out of business interruption insurance during the covid pandemic in Dublin.
- Has acted for a Chinese Pharmaceutical Company involved in litigation based in Belfast arising out of events in China.
- Secured a payout of £16.7million on behalf of all NI Taxi Drivers following the failure to compensate them during the Covid 19 Pandemic.
- Instructed on behalf of a high profile Irish Businessman against the Irish Government for breach of contract which resulted in a seven figure payout.
- Six Figure Resolution for a New York company who were involved in Litigation in both London and Belfast.
- Instructed in the first ever High Court litigation in Belfast arising out of Cryptocurrency and Cryptocurrency fraud.
Negotiation and Mediation
Given his experience, Darragh is regularly involved in negotiating and mediating disputes between Commercial and Corporate entities whereby disputes have arisen between Shareholders or Company Officers. This experience has resulted in Darragh being retained in various disputes both locally and internationally.
Email:darragh@phoenix-law.org
Phone:+4428 9032 8383
Solicitor
Diarmuid Brecknell
Diarmuid Brecknell is a Solicitor in the Public Law, Inquests and Inquiries Department at Phoenix Law, Belfast, a leading human rights and litigation firm specialising in complex actions against public authorities. He completed his LLB at Ulster University and graduated from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queen’s University Belfast in 2025.
Diarmuid specialises in public law, inquests, public inquiries, legacy litigation and high-value civil claims. He acts for individuals, families and large groups of victims in cases involving state accountability, collusion, institutional abuse and serious human rights breaches, across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.
Legacy Civil Actions
Diarmuid acts in a large number of Troubles-related civil actions against the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD), including the cohort of Glenanne Gang cases currently before the High Court in Belfast. His work includes:
- Reavey v Chief Constable of the PSNI and the Ministry of Defence - acting for Eugene Reavey, whose brothers John Martin, Brian and Anthony Reavey were murdered by the Glenanne Gang on 4 January 1976. In June 2026 the PSNI and MOD paid a combined £400,000 in damages, and the Chief Constable issued an apology in open court.
- The Farmer Family Civil Action - acting for the family of GAA supporter Sean Farmer, murdered by the Glenanne Gang. In October 2026 the PSNI agreed to pay damages and issue an apology to the family. The family’s claim against the MOD continues.
- Misfeasance and collusion claims - claims involving misfeasance in public office, negligence, collusion and systemic investigative failures, including extensive work on disclosure, expert evidence and trial preparation.
Public Law and Human Rights Litigation
Diarmuid has been involved in significant public law litigation, with a particular focus on Article 2 ECHR-compliant investigations and state accountability. His experience includes:
- Re McGuigan and McKenna [2021] UKSC 33 - the “Hooded Men” case, a landmark Supreme Court case concerning the use of torture and the State’s obligation to conduct effective investigations into serious human rights violations.
- Re Barnard [2022] NICA - the “Glenanne Series” case, a pivotal Court of Appeal decision which led to the establishment of Operation Denton, an independent investigation into over 120 murders linked to alleged collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and state agents.
- Re Mac Cionnaith’s Application and Re Hynes’ Application [2026] NIKB 59 - part of the Phoenix Law team acting for the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition in the Drumcree parade litigation before the High Court and Court of Appeal, in which the High Court upheld the Secretary of State’s prohibition of the parade along the Garvaghy Road.
- Free the Night and Holly Lester - a 2026 judicial review of the Minister for Communities’ response to Northern Ireland’s independent licensing review.
- Re Blair - a successful 2024 judicial review in which the High Court found that the Northern Ireland Prison Service acted unlawfully and in breach of Article 8 ECHR in refusing a prisoner temporary release for his 40th wedding anniversary.
- Housing Executive appeal - a successful appeal of a Northern Ireland Housing Executive decision, securing emergency rehousing for a mother and her children who had been threatened by paramilitaries.
Troubles Permanent Disablement Payments
Diarmuid has a long-running practice in applications, appeals and challenges before the Victims’ Payments Board. In 2026 he secured a successful review for a victim of a paramilitary-style shooting whose application had been refused, applying the High Court’s judgment in Re McCabe’s Application [2026] NIKB 24 on the treatment of paramilitary-style attacks under the Scheme. He also advises on judicial review of Victims’ Payments Board decisions.
Inquests and Public Inquiries
Diarmuid has significant experience in large-scale, complex inquests and public inquiries, often acting for families who have campaigned for decades for truth and accountability. His work includes:
- The Stardust Inquests - part of the legal team representing families of the 48 victims of the 1981 Stardust fire (Dublin, 2023-2024). The inquests returned unlawful killing verdicts in respect of all 48 victims, followed by a State apology from the Taoiseach. Diarmuid was then part of the Phoenix Law team that negotiated a €24 million State compensation scheme on behalf of 47 of the 48 families.
- The Michael Shine Commission of Investigation - acting alongside Dignity4Patients for hundreds of survivors of the former consultant surgeon at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. Diarmuid campaigned for a Commission of Investigation from 2023, through the scoping exercise led by Lorcan Staines SC, to the Government’s acceptance of the scoping report’s recommendations in full in July 2026. Phoenix Law now represents survivors as the Commission of Investigation is established.
- The South-East Commission of Investigation (Bill Kenneally) - acting for survivors of Bill Kenneally throughout the Commission into the response of State bodies to abuse in Waterford. Following publication of the report of Mr Justice Michael White, the Taoiseach delivered a formal State apology to survivors in Dáil Éireann in July 2026.
- The Ballymurphy Inquest - involvement in the 2021 proceedings which found that ten civilians killed during the introduction of internment in 1971 were entirely innocent and that their deaths were unjustified.
- Inquests in Northern Ireland - multiple legacy and non-legacy inquests, including contentious pre-inquest review hearings involving disclosure disputes, police conduct and Article 2 compliance.
Civil Litigation and Group Actions
Alongside his public law and inquest practice, Diarmuid acts in complex civil and commercial litigation across multiple jurisdictions. His experience includes:
- The FBA Brand Builder Group Action - acting for a large group of claimants against Darren Campbell and the FBA Brand Builder programme, which is alleged to have misled participants and caused them significant financial losses.
- Defamation - acting for Mick Finnegan in defamation proceedings against Irish media outlets, alongside other reputation management matters.
- Assault and human rights claims - civil claims arising from assaults, human rights breaches and systemic failures, engaging both domestic law and the European Convention on Human Rights.
- Cross-border litigation - proceedings in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England and Wales, including matters with parallel criminal and civil elements.
He has played a key role in securing substantial settlements and apologies on behalf of victims and survivors in claims against state bodies, including the PSNI and MOD, as well as private organisations.
Media
Diarmuid regularly comments in the media on behalf of clients, and appeared on the Activist Lawyer Podcast (Episode 121, “Seeking Justice”) to discuss his work for victims of historical abuse.
Email:diarmuid@phoenix-law.org
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