An Unusual Ballina Libel Action, 1955

The cause of all the trouble – the defendant’s missing Irish setter dog, which he believed had been taken by the plaintiff. Generic Irish setter dog image via Art.com

From the Ballina Herald, 30 April 1955:

“Unusual Ballina Libel Case

Exception Taken to Note Written by Dumb Shoemaker.

The absence of an interpreter of the sign language used by deaf and dumb people caused an adjournment at Ballina Circuit Court on Wednesday of one of the most extraordinary libel cases ever to be listed.  It was one in which Mr O’Hara, a labourer, Ballina, sought a decree for £75 against Mr Clarke, boot and shoe repairer, Ballina, on the grounds of libel.

The plaintiff’s read more