Eircom ordered to reveal identity of anonymous emailer

The High Court has ordered Eircom to disclose the name and address of an anonymous emailer who distributed an allegedly defamatory letter about a waste collection company.

James Ferry and his company, Ferry's Refuse Collection Ltd, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, obtained the order for an intended defamation action against a person who, for the moment, is referred to as "John Doe with a username of concerneddonegalresidents@gmail.com".

The order was sought under the 2011 Communications (Retention of Data) Act which allows service providers divulge information on foot of a court order.

Mr Justice Paul Gilligan said he was satisfied to grant the order after Eircom had said its attitude to the application was neutral. There was no allegation of wrongdoing against Eircom or Google Ireland, the judge said.

The court heard Ferrys has been in the waste business since 2003, and in 2013, a letter containing allegedly defamatory statements against the company was sent to Donegal County Council officials, elected representatives, a government department and national and local media.

The judge was told Eircom will comply with the order within a week.