Reputation is described by global PR firm Edelman as “the most important, yet fragile organisational asset.” Yet when faced with its own in-house crisis involving former non-executive chairman and senior public affairs consultant Jim Glennon, Edelman Ireland’s response was marked by silence.
Journalists placed dozens of calls and sent multiple emails over several days seeking comment on Glennon’s decision to provide a character reference for convicted child sex offender Daniel Ramamoorthy. Most attempts went unanswered until a formal statement was finally issued on Sunday.
Key Developments in the Jim Glennon Scandal:
- Former Fianna Fáil TD Jim Glennon confirmed he wrote a character reference for Daniel Ramamoorthy
- Glennon described the reference as “naive” and “wrong” and issued a public apology
- Edelman Ireland stated Glennon’s tenure as non-executive chairman ended in March — before the firm became aware of the reference
- Dozens of calls and emails to Edelman went largely unanswered for days
- Glennon announced he is resigning from all current roles and directorships
Timeline of the Pursuit for Answers: Dozens of Calls to Edelman Ireland
Tuesday: Journalists first contacted Edelman Ireland after sources identified Jim Glennon as the former TD who provided the character reference. Calls to Glennon’s mobile went unanswered. Reception confirmed an email had been forwarded to him — no reply.
Wednesday: Multiple calls and voicemails to Edelman. Email sent to CEO Darragh Rea informing him of the situation. A visit to Glennon’s home resulted in his wife accepting a business card with no follow-up.
Thursday & Friday: Numerous additional emails and calls to senior Edelman staff. Second visit to Glennon’s home — blinds closed, no answer.
Sunday: After sustained pressure and notification that the lack of response would be reported, Edelman Ireland and Jim Glennon finally issued statements.
Jim Glennon’s Statement and Public Apology
On Sunday, Jim Glennon issued a statement through Q4PR. The former Dublin North TD (2002–2007) confirmed he had submitted a character reference for Daniel Ramamoorthy during the Court of Criminal Appeal hearing.
“I confirm that I am the former TD who submitted a character reference for the convicted Daniel Ramamoorthy,” Glennon stated. He described the reference as “naive” and “wrong” and formally apologised. He also announced he would be resigning from any and all employment, consultancies, and directorships he currently holds.
Edelman Ireland’s Delayed Response and Official Statement
Edelman Ireland eventually confirmed that Jim Glennon’s tenure as non-executive chairman had already ended in March — prior to the firm becoming aware of the character reference. The company stated it had communicated the departure internally but made no external media announcement at the time.
“Due to legal uncertainty we refrained from engaging with media on this matter. We have not advised Jim Glennon in relation to this matter,” the statement read.
Despite the claim that his role had ended, Glennon was still listed on the company website as chairman and public affairs consultant well into the week of the story breaking.
The Daniel Ramamoorthy Case: Background and Court Details
Daniel Ramamoorthy, formerly an adviser in a government department, was convicted of sexually exploiting a teenage boy he met while volunteering as a guide at a Christian children’s camp. He was also due to stand trial on charges of possessing child sexual abuse material but pleaded guilty before the trial began.
During the appeal against the severity of his two-year-and-four-month sentence, Mr Justice John Edwards noted that none of the character references — including one from a former TD — mentioned the 13-year-old victim or the “vile nature” of the crimes. The judge ultimately rejected the appeal.
Jim Glennon’s Political and Professional Background
Jim Glennon served as a Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin North from 2002 to 2007 and later built an 18-year career in public affairs, including senior roles at Edelman Ireland. He was widely known as a well-connected political figure and supporter within Fianna Fáil circles.
The scandal has raised serious questions about reputational risk management — the very service Edelman promotes on its website as helping organisations when “the stakes are highest.”
Frequently Asked Questions About the Jim Glennon and Edelman Ireland Scandal
Who is Jim Glennon and what did he do?
Jim Glennon is a former Fianna Fáil TD who provided a character reference for convicted child sex offender Daniel Ramamoorthy. He has since apologised, calling the reference “naive” and “wrong,” and announced his resignation from all current roles.
What was Edelman Ireland’s response to the scandal?
Edelman Ireland faced dozens of calls and emails from journalists that largely went unanswered for several days. The firm later stated that Glennon’s tenure as non-executive chairman had ended in March, before they were aware of the character reference.
What happened in the Daniel Ramamoorthy case?
Ramamoorthy was convicted of sexually exploiting a teenage boy and pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material. His appeal against sentence length was rejected by the Court of Appeal.
Why did journalists struggle to get answers from Edelman Ireland?
Multiple attempts over several days — including phone calls, voicemails, emails to senior staff including CEO Darragh Rea, and visits to Glennon’s home — received little or no response until Sunday when a statement was finally issued.
Has Jim Glennon resigned from his positions?
Yes. In his statement, Glennon confirmed he is resigning from any and all employment, consultancies, and directorships he currently holds.
Broader Implications for Reputation Management and Public Accountability
The handling of the Jim Glennon situation has highlighted challenges in crisis communication and reputational risk management — core services offered by firms like Edelman. The delay in responding to media inquiries and the initial lack of transparency have drawn criticism and raised questions about internal protocols when senior figures are involved in sensitive matters.
As the story developed, the focus shifted from the original court case to the public accountability of both the former politician and the high-profile PR company associated with him for nearly two decades.
The case serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of reputation and the importance of swift, transparent responses when crises emerge — especially when they involve vulnerable victims and serious criminal convictions.
This article is based on public statements, court records, and reported events as of April 2026. The victim in the Ramamoorthy case continues to deal with the long-term impact of the crimes committed against him.
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