Quick Read
- Martin Lanigan, husband of Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, settled a defamation case.
- The lawsuit was against former minister Shane Ross and Atlantic Books over Ross’s 2022 biography.
- Lanigan alleged the book implied he was an IRA member and received illicit funds.
- Ross and Atlantic Books issued a public apology in the High Court.
- The apology clarified no such allegations were intended and affirmed Lanigan is “above suspicion.”
DUBLIN (Azat TV) – Martin Lanigan, the husband of Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, has settled a significant defamation lawsuit against former government minister Shane Ross and his book publisher, Atlantic Books, in the High Court on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The resolution came after Ross and Atlantic Books issued a public apology, retracting suggestions made in Ross’s 2022 biography of Ms. McDonald that Mr. Lanigan was involved with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) or had received illicit funds, an outcome that publicly clarifies his standing.
The defamation action, which was scheduled to commence its five-day trial on Wednesday with a jury of six men and six women already empanelled, concluded following intensive discussions between the legal teams. Tom Hogan SC, representing Mr. Lanigan, informed Mr. Justice Tony O’Connor that a settlement had been reached, paving the way for the defendants to read an apology.
Allegations and Public Apology
The core of Mr. Lanigan’s complaint centered on material published in Shane Ross’s biography, titled Mary Lou McDonald: A Republican Riddle. Mr. Lanigan alleged that the book implied he was a member of the IRA and had, in some capacity, been a recipient of illicit funds. These implications, he contended, were defamatory and damaging to his reputation.
Reading the apology on behalf of Mr. Ross and Atlantic Books, Paul O’Higgins SC stated, “Atlantic Books and Shane Ross confirm that it was never intended to make any such allegation or suggestion, and that if members of the public understood the publication to do so, they very much regret this.” The apology further underscored their position: “Atlantic Books and Shane Ross are happy to acknowledge that Martin Lanigan is above suspicion in respect of any impropriety and are pleased to ensure that this is made publicly clear and unambiguous.”
Court Proceedings Conclude
Following the reading of the apology and with the consent of both parties, Mr. Justice O’Connor formally ordered the proceedings to be struck out. All previous orders for legal costs made in the case were also vacated, marking a definitive end to the legal battle. Outside the court, Mr. Lanigan expressed his satisfaction with the apology but declined to comment on whether any financial sum was part of the settlement, as reported by The Irish Times.
The Parties Involved
Martin Lanigan is married to Mary Lou McDonald, who has served as the president of Sinn Féin since 2018, leading the party to become a significant political force in Ireland. The couple met in 1990 and married in 1996, and they have two children, Gearoid and Iseult. Shane Ross is a former independent politician who served as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport from 2016 to 2020. He is also a prolific author, with his biography of Ms. McDonald being published in 2022.
The settlement of this high-profile defamation case underscores the critical importance of factual accuracy and the right to reputation, particularly in public discourse surrounding political figures and their families. The public apology from a prominent author and publisher serves as a notable affirmation of Mr. Lanigan’s integrity against serious allegations.