McBrearty settlement runs into difficulty

LAST-MINUTE efforts to reach a settlement between the State and Frank McBrearty Junior ran into difficulties yesterday in a dispute over a claim by the State that damages sought by Mr McBrearty had increased more than eightfold since the latest report of the Morris Tribunal was published.

Negotiations are to continue between the two sides, however, meaning the High Court hearing of the case, which was scheduled to begin today, will not go ahead for several weeks.

The State, representing the Garda Commissioner, Minister for Justice, Attorney General and Ireland, yesterday applied to the president of the High Court, Judge Joseph Finnegan, for an adjournment of the hearing, complaining details of damages sought by Mr McBrearty had changed in recent days and more time was needed to examine his claims.