Tabloid newspapers may appeal decision to award damages

AN appeal against a decision to award almost minimal circuit court damages to Ian Bailey has not been ruled out.

Legal advisers for two tabloid newspapers, found to have defamed Bailey by claiming he was violent towards his ex-wife, said Judge Patrick Moran’s judgement will be fully considered before the possibility of an appeal is considered.

Lawyers representing both the Irish Mirror and Irish Sun said they were disappointed but insisted the judgement “fully justified the main allegations”.

In a prepared joint statement, the papers’ legal advisers said: “His honour Judge Moran stated categorically ‘I have no hesitation describing Mr Bailey as a violent man. The defendants were perfectly justified in their description of him being violent towards women. He has not been damaged by that.’ ”

The statement went on to suggest that the issue on which the claimant was allegedly defamed was “outside the thrust of Mr Bailey’s (libel) action”. The statement added: “We are disappointed the learned judge awarded damages in those circumstances.”

The damages sought by Bailey against the seven newspaper groups were in the region of €255,000. The damages awarded were at the lower end of the circuit court scale.

February 12 has been fixed for a decision on the costs in the case which, on the defence side, was believed to be a high six-figure amount.

After the hearing, representatives for the newspapers said they were, in the main, vindicated.