Marian Price Takes on Disney in Defamation Lawsuit

The core of the dispute centers on a major plot line within “Say Nothing,” which delves into the harrowing disappearance of Jean McConville, a widowed mother of ten abducted from her Belfast home in 1972.

Ms. McConville’s body was discovered at Shelling Hill beach in Co. Louth in 2003, decades after her disappearance. The IRA formally acknowledged in 1999 that it had killed Ms. McConville and eight other “Disappeared” individuals, though a subsequent report by the Police Ombudsman found no evidence that she had ever been an informer.

Marian Price, also known by her married name Marian McGlinchey, has vehemently and consistently denied any involvement in the murder of Jean McConville for over 50 years. Through her solicitors, Belfast-based Phoenix Law, Ms. McGlinchey asserted that she had “no alternative” but to initiate legal proceedings against The Walt Disney Company Ltd and Minim Productions Ltd, the entities behind the series.

The Heart of the Matter: Why is Marian Price Suing Disney?

The defamation case, for which a plenary summons was filed at the High Court in Dublin on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, and confirmed by Phoenix Law the following day, arises from what her legal representatives describe as “egregious and defamatory allegations levelled at our client in the Say Nothing series.” The legal firm emphasized that “Both entities have failed to take steps to rectify their actions, causing continuing and untold damage and harm to our client.” This assertion highlights the perceived harm to Marian Price’s reputation, a figure who, despite her past, has continued to live her life under intense public scrutiny.

Solicitor Victoria Haddock of Phoenix Law was unequivocal in her statement: “Our client should not be placed in the position of having to take formal legal action to vindicate her reputation. Despite multiple opportunities to address the defamatory content of the Say Nothing series, Disney and Minim Productions have failed to take any step to do so. There is no justification for making abhorrent accusations under the guise of entertainment and we will be seeking to hold all responsible parties to account.” This strong stance suggests a deliberate intent to hold Disney and the production company accountable for their portrayal, regardless of the series’ classification as entertainment.

“Say Nothing,” which premiered last year, is based on the 2018 book of the same name by Patrick Radden Keefe, a staff writer at The New Yorker magazine. Keefe, in an interview last December, stated he was “completely certain” Marian McGlinchey was the third member of an IRA team involved in Ms. McConville’s killing. However, at the time of the book’s publication, Marian Price released a statement through solicitor Peter Corrigan, also of Phoenix Law, vehemently denying any involvement. No legal action followed the book’s publication at that time. The current lawsuit indicates that the visual and narrative depiction in the series has crossed a line for Ms. Price that the book alone did not.

The Price Sisters: A Tumultuous History

The “Say Nothing” series largely focuses on the life of Dolours Price, Marian’s late sister. The Dolours and Marian Price sisters were central figures in a particularly turbulent period of the Provisional IRA’s campaign in the early 1970s. Both were convicted for their role in the infamous IRA car-bomb attack on London’s Old Bailey in 1973. This act of terrorism, carried out in the heart of London, brought their names to international prominence and cemented their place in the narrative of The Troubles.

What happened to the sisters in Say Nothing?

The series “Say Nothing” dramatizes the lives of the Price sisters, depicting their involvement in the IRA, their role in the Old Bailey bombing, their subsequent imprisonment, and crucially, the allegations surrounding Jean McConville’s disappearance. It’s a fictionalized account based on a non-fiction book, which presents a particular interpretation of events and individuals. For Dolours Price, the series covers her experiences with hunger strikes and force-feeding during her imprisonment, which left her with lifelong health issues, notably anorexia nervosa. It also delves into her later life, including her marriage to actor Stephen Rea and her growing disillusionment with the direction of Sinn Féin and the peace process, leading her to make controversial claims about her former comrades. The series, therefore, serves as a dramatic exploration of their radicalization, actions, and the profound personal and political fallout.

Did the Price Sisters go back to Ireland?

Yes, both Dolours and Marian Price were eventually repatriated to Northern Ireland. After their conviction for the Old Bailey bombing, they immediately began a hunger strike, demanding to be transferred to prisons in Northern Ireland as political prisoners. This hunger strike lasted for over 200 days and involved brutal force-feeding, which severely impacted their health. Due to their deteriorating condition and the intense political pressure, they were eventually granted a Royal Prerogative of Mercy and released on humanitarian grounds in the early 1980s. They both returned to Ireland, where they continued to be politically active, albeit in different capacities, and suffered from the lasting health consequences of their hunger strike ordeal.

Marian Price: Life After the Troubles

Marian Price Jean McConville is a contentious pairing of names, a nexus of historical trauma and ongoing legal battles. Price has consistently denied the allegations surrounding McConville’s death, facing them both in the public sphere and now, directly in court.

Who is Marian Price married to?

Marian Price is married to Gerry McGlinchey. Their relationship has been a steadfast constant through many years of political activism, legal challenges, and health struggles for Marian Price. Gerry McGlinchey himself has been a republican activist and has been a vocal supporter of his wife, particularly during her later periods of imprisonment. While not as publicly prominent as Marian, his association with her and their shared republican background places him within the broader narrative of the Troubles and its aftermath. While there isn’t extensive public documentation on Marian McGlinchey children, it is known that Marian has two children.

Is Marian Price still alive? Where is Marian Price now?

Yes, Marian Price is still alive. As of July 2025, she is actively pursuing this legal action against Disney. While her public appearances are less frequent now than in past decades, she remains a significant, if often controversial, figure within republican circles. Her current whereabouts are typically private, though she is known to reside in Northern Ireland. Her legal action indicates she remains engaged and resolute in defending her reputation. Given her long history of health issues, often linked to the hunger strike and force-feeding during her imprisonment, her longevity is notable. There is no official Marian Price obituary to date, as she is alive.

Who was the famous woman in the IRA?

While many women played crucial roles within the IRA and republican movement, Dolours and Marian Price are undoubtedly among the most famous, largely due to their high-profile Old Bailey bombing conviction and their subsequent hunger strike and force-feeding. Their story has been told in books, documentaries, and now, the “Say Nothing” series. Beyond the Price sisters, figures like Mairead Farrell, who was killed by the SAS in Gibraltar, and various republican women active in political and social spheres also hold significant recognition. The Troubles era saw women move into active combat and leadership roles within paramilitary organizations, challenging traditional gender norms within the conflict.

The IRA Today: Is the IRA still active?

The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) formally decommissioned its weapons in 2005, marking a significant milestone in the Northern Ireland peace process. Its leadership declared an end to its armed campaign in 2005. However, while the Provisional IRA is no longer active as a paramilitary organization, dissident republican groups who do not support the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement continue to exist. These groups, often referred to as the “Real IRA” or the “New IRA,” have engaged in sporadic acts of violence, though on a much smaller scale than during the height of The Troubles. They do not command the same level of support or organizational structure as the Provisional IRA once did. The vast majority of the former Provisional IRA leadership and membership are now committed to peaceful political means through Sinn Féin.

Broader Implications: Entertainment vs. Historical Accuracy

The lawsuit brought by Marian Price against Disney highlights a crucial tension between dramatic license and historical responsibility, especially when dealing with sensitive and still-raw historical conflicts like The Troubles. While “Say Nothing” is presented as entertainment, its basis in real events and real people means that its depictions carry weight. For those directly involved, or the families of victims like Jean McConville, the portrayal of events and attribution of actions are not mere plot devices but deeply personal and historically charged narratives.

The outcome of this high-profile defamation case will be keenly watched. It could set a precedent for how streaming services and production companies handle historical narratives, particularly those involving living individuals and contested events. It forces a conversation about the ethical responsibilities of creators when dramatizing real-life tragedies and the potential for perceived factual inaccuracies to cause further harm and reignite old wounds. For the global audience captivated by “Say Nothing,” the lawsuit serves as a stark reminder that the history of The Troubles is not a closed book, and its chapters are still being written, often with significant personal cost.