This second edition is fully revised, expanded and updated to include all recent developments in Irish defamation law. It contains analysis of all the elements of the tort of defamation, defences to a defamation action, damages and other reliefs, the application of human rights law in the context of defamation, the application of practice and procedure rules in defamation cases and a body of useful precedents. This new edition includes: * An in-depth analysis of the important recent developments in relation to damages in defamation cases both in the Irish courts and the European Court of Human Rights including the Supreme Court decision in McDonagh v Sunday Newspapers Ltd and the ECHR decision in Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd v Ireland; * An examination of the statutory 'offer to make amends' defence and the approach and role of both the judge and jury including the Supreme Court decision in Higgins v Irish Aviation Authority ; * An examination of the application of defamation actions in relation to social media publications and other forms of internet communications; * An exploration of possible reforms of Irish defamation law, the pitfalls and challenges that lay ahead. Defamation: Law and Practice , Second Edition provides an in-depth analysis and comprehensive coverage of defamation law in Ireland including substantive and procedural law and is Ireland's leading text on defamation law having been cited several judgments in the superior courts in Ireland