REPUBLICAN MARIAN PRICE is taking legal action against Disney+ for defamation after its show Say Nothing depicted her killing Jean McConville.
The series, which was released last month, is based on a book of the same name by Patrick Radden Keefe. It explores the life of IRA member Dolours Price, Marian’s sister, and the disappearance of Jean McConville.
McConville, a mother of 10, was kidnapped and murdered by the IRA in 1972. She was one of The Disappeared for decades, until her remains were found in 2003.
Dolours Price died in 2013 and had admitted to being involved in the murder.
Marian Price, also known as Marian McGlinchey, has always denied killing McConville. However, in Say Nothing she is depicted as firing the shots that killed McConville.
Marian Price is represented by Peter Corrigan, of Phoenix Law, in the legal action.
Marian Price initiates legal proceedings against Disney over the TV Series ‘Say Nothing’.
— Phoenix Law Belfast (@PhoenixLawHR) December 4, 2024
Our Peter Corrigan acts for Mrs Price. pic.twitter.com/LnZzA6tyDk
The lawsuit was first reported by the Irish News today.
In documents submitted as part of the legal action, Corrigan writes: “Our client has been publicly connected with the murder of the innocent mother, Jean McConville…
This allegation is unfounded in all respects.
“Indeed, it is difficult to envisage a more damaging allegation in which to level at our client without any evidential foundation.”
Corrigan claimed the shooting scene was created for “the purposes of theatrical elaboration”.
The solicitor writes that McConville’s killing is “one of the most egregious murders pertaining to the Northern Ireland past”.
“Given the inaccuracy of the proposed publication and the innuendo that arises from same, the damage to our client’s reputation is obvious,” Corrigan adds.
Peter Corrigan of Phoenix Law said:
“Given the context, it is difficult to envisage a more egregious allegation than the one to which has been levelled against our client. As someone who has been involved at every level of the related Boston College criminal proceedings, it is clear that the instant allegation is not based on a single iota of evidence.
“Such allegations published on an international scale are not only unjustified, but they are odious insofar as they seek to cause our client immeasurable harm in exchange for greater streaming success.
“Our client has now been forced to initiate legal proceedings to hold Disney to account for their actions.”
Nobody has ever been charged with McConville’s killing.
Her son, Michael, recently described the portrayal of her death in Say Nothing as “cruel”. He said his mother’s killing was “not entertainment”, rather his family’s reality for the last 52 years.
The Journal has contacted Disney+ for comment.
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