Media
In November 2012 Michael Meegan brought the Irish Newspaper MAIL ON SUNDAY into the Irish High Court for defamation in a libel case. http://www.independent.ie/national-news/courts/charity-worker-gets-settlement-and-apology-from-irish-daily-mail-over-sexual-misconduct-claims-3292894.html resulted in huge damages and apology before a jury in the Irish High Court with further suits to follow.In Feb 2013 Further legal action was launched against other newspapers in Ireland with further actions in Kenya.
Over the past thirtyfour years much has been cited and written about the work of ICROSS not least found in Google Scholar and academic engines but in journals on public health and medical research. The primary focus of these works has been health innovation.
In July 2006, it was erroneously reported that Meegan allegedly lied about his qualifications when Duke University USA was attempting to secure a multi-million dollar grant in the United States. These reports were discredited as Meegan remained head of ICROSS and legal action was taken against sources. Following successful litigation in 2012 for defamation, ICROSS is persuing other newspapers.
His qualifications include a Masters degree in Community Health from Trinity college and an Honorary Doctorate in Medicine from the National University of Ireland in recognition of his contribution to International health. He is also completing a Doctorate in Global health 2012.
The MAIL settled out of court paying all costs and damages.
Although Meegan and the Charity deny all allegations made, The Honourable Nicholas Kearns, President of the High Court of Ireland rejected Meegan's application for an injunction against publication under section 33(1) of the Defamation Act 2009.Meegan has since received apology from the newspaper.The Newspaper has subsequently paid significant damages and Kenya State Council have initiated actions within Kenya against those cited by the MAIL ON SUNDAY.
He denied all the claims and said he was the victim of Mary Anne Fitzgerald formerly of ACE also named by Elle Kihara and James Njenga both Mail on Sunday witnesses used in the high Court case. Civil suits launched against the tabloid sources are ongoing and Kenyan Police are in the process of criminal action against the sources for fraud and defamation charges against the lead witness of the Mail articles; Peter Saingaire and Paulo Learat both of whom have criminal records.http://www.independent.ie/national-news/courts/charity-worker-gets-settlement-and-apology-from-irish-daily-mail-over-sexual-misconduct-claims-3292894.html
As controversy about Meegan developed, he was strongly supported by Dr. Joseph Barnes, a highly regarded former professor at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland with long year's of experience in African charity work. According to the Irish Times, "Dr Barnes (95) acknowledged Irish Aid had uncovered a "lacuna" of missing funding but said this had not been attributed to fraud. A Kenyan staff member was fired afterwards for "putting his hand in the till." Meegan continues implementing long term health programmes in Africa and legal action against those who fabricated stories continues
Read more about this topic: Michael Elmore-Meegan
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