Ashling Murphy's boyfriend settles defamation action against BBC
Her partner, 27-year-old Ryan Casey, sued the BBC over a broadcast of an episode of the View following Puska's sentencing.
It contained commentary on Mr Casey's victim impact statement that he delivered ahead of sentencing.
He initiated High Court proceedings against the broadcaster alleging that he had been defamed during the television programme.
The action was settled on Thursday, with the BBC saying it acknowledged Mr Casey's personal tragedy.
It stood by the journalism of the broadcast and added: 'The BBC is however happy to clarify that it does not consider Ryan Casey to be a criminal or a racist, or someone guilty of or attempting to incite hatred, or someone seeking to pose as a hero of the far right through his victim impact statement.'
It is understood Mr Casey received a substantial figure in the settlement.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
9 hours ago
- Times
What the makers of the greatest true crime podcast did next
Few podcast series have been as deservedly successful as West Cork. A critical smash and word-of-mouth phenomenon seven years ago, like Serial it dealt with a historic murder, one that still haunts a community. In December 1996 the body of the French film-maker Sophie Toscan du Plantier was discovered outside her Irish holiday home. She had been bludgeoned to death. More than two decades later, nobody had been convicted of her murder. Yet for locals and the Irish garda there had always been one prime suspect, another 'blow-in', an Englishman still living amid neighbours who reviled him. What marked out West Cork was the thoughtfulness of the reporting of its husband-and-wife narrators, Sam Bungey and Jennifer Forde. This was true, twisty crime with journalistic integrity, a painterly sense of place and sensitivity to a community. Louis Theroux said it was 'possibly the best ever true crime podcast'. Patrick Radden Keefe hailed it 'a masterpiece'. It reportedly remains Audible's most successful podcast. If you haven't listened, do. So what have Bungey and Forde got up to since? In May 2021 there was a follow-up episode relating to court proceedings. But that was more than four years ago. It turns out the pair were recruited by the BBC to explore one of the deepest rabbit holes of our times: Havana syndrome. • The best podcasts and radio shows of the week If the term 'Havana syndrome' is a mystery to you, then Forde and Bungey offer a clear explainer in the ten-part Havana Helmet Club (four episodes on BBC Sounds and now airing on Radio 4). But for me the puzzle is why this promising podcasting pair chose to tackle a subject that is as well trodden as it is highly disputed. Still, it is a doozy of a story. To recap: in December 2016 American diplomatic personnel in Cuba began to report a wave of weird ailments. All said that symptoms had begun with stabbing head pressure. Most also experienced a sonic assault: a head-splittingly intense grating noise that often led to nosebleeds and nausea. When sufferers started comparing notes, they referred to the noise as 'the Thing'. In the weeks afterwards many began to experience vertigo, brain fog, migraine with aura and debilitating exhaustion. Quietly the embassy began to fly sufferers to the United States to undergo medical investigation, where scans showed signs consistent with brain trauma when there had been no injury. Meanwhile, the CIA sent a medic to investigate — who also became ill. Rumours grew about some kind of hostile action, possibly using microwave technology. But who would be the perpetrator? The US and Cuba had only just restored full diplomatic relations after decades of hostility. The Obamas' visit in spring 2016 was meant to have ushered in a more neighbourly, also potentially capitalist era. The Cubans denied any wrongdoing, but the US repatriated all but essential staff. Two rival podcasts, fronted by respected investigative journalists, went head-to-head in 2023. Havana Syndrome, from Vice, was presented by Jon Lee Anderson and Adam Entous, whose reporting for The New Yorker first brought this story to a wider audience. Their podcast investigated subsequent claimed incidents around the world and reported on CIA efforts to shut the story down — deemed gaslighting by those still struggling with long-term health needs. • Read more radio and podcast reviews The Sound, presented by Nicky Woolf (Finding Q: My Journey into QAnon; Fur and Loathing) opened in bravura style using spiritual music to invoke the Bible story of the Israelites' trumpets' blast tumbling Jericho's walls. 'Sound … as a weapon,' Woolf surmised. There was also an endearing gonzo episode in which he roped in a physicist pal to help him build a microwave device. So what does the well-narrated Havana Helmet Club have that these do not? Well, the advantage of following up. Also, for UK audiences, potentially arriving fresh at this story, an informative grounding in US-Cuban relations. This compelling podcast is well executed, but halfway through I am questioning whether there will be a smoking gun — most of their talking heads, including the wired-sounding Anglo-American they identify as 'Adam' and 'Patient Zero', have featured in others' reporting. While it is great to have Forde and Bungey back, this is not a podcast series that feels as original, or uniquely their own, as West Cork. What podcasts have you enjoyed recently? Let us know in the comments below
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Wimbledon finalist 'body searched' and nearly denied entry' to tournament
Wimbledon's security staff did not make an exception for 2022 finalist Nick Kyrgios when he tried to get in on Friday, despite knowing who the controversial Australian was Nick Kyrgios says he was body searched by security at Wimbledon because he did not have ID to prove who he was. Kyrgios is not playing at Wimbledon for the third straight year due to injury, but is working at the Grand Slam as a pundit. The Australian is one of the most famous faces in tennis, having earned a reputation as being the sport's bad boy. While he has fallen foul of the rules, the 30-year-old has also enjoyed some great times at the All England Club, having reached the final in 2022, where he lost to Novak Djokovic. Kyrgios was dropped by the BBC as a commentator this year, but is working for talkSPORT during the two-week tournament. Despite being a former finalist, it seems he is treated no differently to everyone else who enters the grounds. Speaking on talkSPORT's Wimbledon: Unfiltered, Kyrgios said: "Look, I'm not normally one to say: 'Do you know who I am?' when I'm trying to get into events. READ MORE: "But today, my agent was like okay, let's try and pick up your credentials just to save someone a ground pass and I was sitting there and she asked: 'Do you have a photo ID?' "I had just got a new phone, because it was broken, I didn't have any photos... and she laughed before she asked me, so she clearly knew who I was but was just following protocol. "I said, 'do you reckon you could get me in and give me my credentials just one time' and she was like: 'No.' I went: 'Seriously? Please', but they said they can't do that. Then I got body searched. They told me to put all of my stuff down and I got body searched." Mirror Sport contacted the All England Club to request comment. As Kyrgios himself acknowledged, the member of security staff was merely following protocol. Asked if it had happened before, Kyrgios added: "Yes and no. There's been clips of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal not being let into some changing rooms because they didn't have credentials and stuff. But I don't know, me getting body searched in front of the crowd was something I'd never thought would happen to me at Wimbledon, but it did." He added: "It was probably just a Kyrgios treat... if you're going to wear the black hat and be a villain, then you've got to deal with some of that stuff. I did [keep it cool], I didn't say 'Do you know who I am?'. "I was asked do you have any ID, but I replied: 'Does Google work?'. I guess that was kind of like a little dig."
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Pebble Mill at One stars now - from criminal convictions to tragic death
BBC show Pebble Mill at One was an iconic magazine programme that ran throughout the '70s, '80s and '90s - and here's what happened to the original faces of the daytime series They were the familiar faces that lit up Britain's afternoons - the hosts, producers and personalities behind Pebble Mill at One, the BBC's beloved daytime magazine programme that ran from 1972 to 1986. Whether they were interviewing celebrities, dispensing gardening advice or covering human interest stories from the famous foyer of the Birmingham studio, the Pebble Mill team became a fixture of the nation's lunchtime telly. But what happened to the show's stars when the cameras stopped rolling? From telly legends who went on to headline primetime shows, to behind-the-scenes figures who subtly influenced British broadcasting, many continued to leave their mark across radio, film and theatre. Others quietly stepped out of the spotlight - while some faced scandals that shook their public persona. Here, we reminisce about the highs, lows and unexpected twists in the lives of Pebble Mill's most recognisable faces. From gardening guru Marian Foster and broadcasting legend Alan Titchmarsh to the late Donny MacLeod and troubled DJ Dave Lee Travis, here's what unfolded for the faces who once dominated daytime TV. Dave Lee Travis Dave Lee Travis was best known as the host of The Golden Oldie Picture Show and a DJ on BBC Radio 1. However, his career was later marred by legal issues. In 2014, he was found guilty of indecently assaulting a woman working on The Mrs Merton Show in 1995 and was handed a three-month suspended sentence. Though acquitted of several other accusations, the conviction resulted in the presenter's episodes of Top of the Pops being no longer repeated by the BBC. Travis expressed being "mortified" and "really disappointed" by the verdict. Despite the scandal, the now 80-year-old made a comeback to broadcasting. Throughout the years, Travis has presented programmes on various UK radio stations, including periods at Classic Gold, BBC Three Counties Radio, and United DJs Radio. In 2025, he hosts a Sunday morning programme on Heritage Chart Radio. Currently residing in Buckinghamshire with his Swedish wife Marianne, whom he wed in 1971, Travis enjoys photography and vintage automobiles. Jock Gallagher Gallagher began his BBC career in 1966 as a news producer and swiftly climbed the ladder, ultimately leading the Pebble Mill at One. His influence extended beyond the programme's triumph to nurturing celebrated BBC radio productions including The Archers, alongside programmes such as From the Grassroots and Offshore Britons. Following decades of broadcasting service, Gallagher stepped down from the BBC in 2014. He died in May 2025 aged 87 at Worcester Hospital. Former colleagues and admirers paid tribute, with one remembering: "I remember having a conversation with Jock in the late 1980s when I was trying to become a researcher, and fancied working on Radio 4 series." Donny MacLeod Donny was a beloved figure on television, known for his warmth, professionalism, and innovative approach, becoming a staple in homes as the leading presenter of his show and shaping daytime TV for countless viewers. He was one of the original faces of Pebble Mill at One, hosting the show from its beginnings in 1972 until his sudden death in 1984. His career was studded with standout moments, including major BBC specials like MacLeod's Soviet Union and MacLeod's America, and memorable interviews with prominent figures such as Edward Heath, Les Dawson, Terry Wogan, Dame Edna Everage, and Morecambe and Wise. Touching tributes have continued to honour Donny's legacy, with one colleague fondly remembering: "He was kind and ever prepared to lend this novice a helping hand... For 11 years Donny was Pebble Mill at One." Passing away at the young age of 52 from a heart attack, Donny is still deeply missed as a trailblazer in British daytime broadcasting. David Attwood Starting his career as an assistant floor manager, David Attwood climbed the ladder, contributing to series like Out of Town Boys (1978), Keep Smiling (1979), and the BAFTA-winning Boys from the Black Stuff (1982). After completing the BBC Directors course in 1984, he quickly made a name for himself as a director. Attwood's portfolio includes directing All Together Now, Airbase, and the intense thriller Killing Time. He later pursued a freelance career, directing critically acclaimed projects such as Wild West, Fidel, and Stuart: A Life Backwards, which starred Tom Hardy. David sadly died on 21 March 2024 after battling illness. Remembered by peers as a talented and considerate director, David left an indelible mark on British television drama over three decades. Marian Foster A multifaceted broadcaster, Marian Foster was celebrated for her engaging on-screen personality and a deep-rooted passion for horticulture, which became her signature. She broke new ground as one of the original presenters on Top Gear and went on to host gardening segments for BBC Look North after her time at Pebble Mill. Foster boasts an extensive career in radio, having presented shows on BBC Radio 2, Woman's Hour on Radio 4, and currently hosts Garden Mania every Sunday on BBC Radio Newcastle and Radio Tees. A familiar face at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, she has imparted her horticultural wisdom to audiences for more than three decades. Her diverse work includes documenting the impact of Live Aid in Ethiopia and even sharing the stage with The Who for a rendition of Tommy. In recent times, she has continued her role as a judge for Northumbria in Bloom, been featured by Radio Times, and remains an endearing presence in the North East. Alan Titchmarsh Alan Titchmarsh rose to fame as the beloved presenter of Ground Force and later captivated viewers on ITV's Love Your Garden, affirming his status as one of the nation's favourite gardeners. His natural charm extended beyond the garden, leading him to host various programmes including The Alan Titchmarsh Show, Popstar to Operastar, and Secrets of the National Trust. In 2024, he made waves when North Korean TV censored his jeans, prompting Titchmarsh to quip that it gave him "a bit of street cred". The 76 year old father of two is a prolific author, having penned over 70 books, including best-selling novels, gardening guides, and memoirs. He currently presents a Saturday afternoon programme on Classic FM and continues to write regularly for the press. Now in his mid-70s, he divides his time between his farmhouse in Hampshire and his residence on the Isle of Wight. Titchmarsh was awarded an MBE in the 2000 New Year Honours for his contributions to horticulture and broadcasting, and was later promoted to CBE in the 2025 New Year Honours for his services to horticulture and charity.
