A social media 'influencer' has secured High Court orders requiring Facebook to provide her with information to identify anonymous persons she claims are trolling, defaming and stalking her online.
The action was brought by Lisa McGowan, who runs the popular 'Lisa's Lust List' website.
She claims that she and her business are the subject of the online harassment and defamatory comments by parties, through accounts on social media platforms, who she has been unable to identify.
In order to sue these posters for defamation she sought orders against Facebook Ireland Ltd, which she hopes will help her identify the person or persons behind certain posts on the Facebook and Instagram platforms.
Ms Justice Niamh Hyland said she was satisfied from the evidence put before the court that Ms McGowan is entitled to an order, known as a 'Norwich Pharmacal' order.
The order requires Facebook Ireland Ltd to provide her with details the social media company has about account holders Ms McGowan claims are posting controversial posts about her.
The details include the account users' identities, names postal addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, IP address and ISP.
Senior Counsel for Facebook Ireland Inc Rossa Fanning said his side was "remaining neutral" in relation to Ms McGowan's application, which he described as a classic "Norwich Pharmacal" order.
In a statement outside the court, Ms McGowan, from Tullamore, Co Offaly, welcomed the judge's decision to make the order sought.
Her site specialises in promoting various products including fashion items, beauty, health, travel and homeware items and has 300,000 followers.
In recent weeks she claimed that she, and members of her family, have been subjected of online bullying, trolling and harassment.
