The High Court has reserved judgment on an application by Dublin night-club owner Mr John Reynolds for an order to prevent publication of an article in a new magazine edited by former Irish Press Group solicitor Mr Elio Malocco.
Mr Reynolds, of The Cedars, Grove House, Milltown, Dublin, claims the article in the magazine Patrick contains allegations and accusations as to his sexual and business reputations. He claims the article is defamatory.
Mr Malocco claims he can justify the contents of the article. He also stated that it does not libel Mr Reynolds.
Mr Reynolds asked the court to grant him an interlocutory injunction which would restrain publication of the article until the hearing of a libel action he is bringing against Mr Malocco.
Last week Mr Reynolds secured a temporary injunction and yesterday Mr Justice Kelly continued that restraint order until after his judgment, which will be delivered on Friday.
Mr Garret Cooney SC, for Mr Reynolds, said it was noteworthy that the only person used to illustrate the article was Mr Reynolds.
It was difficult to know of a more vicious or more serious attack than that made by Mr Malocco against Mr Reynolds.
It was abundantly clear the thrust of the article was against Mr Reynolds, to damage him, counsel added.
An earlier court hearing was told that Mr Reynolds operated the POD and Red Box night-clubs. Mr Reynolds claims that allegations in the magazine as to his sexual and business reputations were libellous, wholly inaccurate and designed to sensationalise and to cause him difficulty.
The article made references to a number of night-clubs receiving notification from the Garda about drug activity and conduct. Mr Reynolds claims it was true he had received notification as did 19 other club operators in the greater Dublin area.
This was part of a continuing campaign supported by him and the gardai to ensure no drugs were sold in night-clubs, Mr Reynolds said in an affidavit.