Last year, the High Court ruled the proceedings by Declan Ganley and Rivada should be heard in Ireland and not the US as the CNN defendants had argued

The case returned before the judge on Tuesday after the judge had also ruled Mr Ganley and Rivada were entitled to the costs of the three-day hearing over that preliminary issue.

The High Court rejected an application by CNN for a stay on the proceedings in Ireland

CNN claimed an action brought by Galway-based businessman Declan Ganley has "almost nothing to do with Ireland"