Traveller begins libel action against newspaper

A SETTLED Traveller who claims he was libelled in a front-page Sunday World story alleging he was a drug dealer began an action for damages before a jury in the High Court yesterday.

Martin McDonagh, 45, described as a businessman of Cranmore Drive, Sligo, is suing the Sunday World arising out of an article published on September 5, 1999, which he says called him a Traveller “drug king” following his arrest during an investigation by gardaí into a significant drugs seizure in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, that year.

The newspaper denies the claim and says the words complained of are true in substance and fact.

The article alleged Mr McDonagh masterminded the importation of the largest quantity of ecstasy and cannabis into the west of Ireland and had allegedly amassed a fortune from the drugs trade. In addition, the newspaper report alleged he imported a €70,000 Italian marble headstone on the death of his grandmother for which he allegedly paid cash.

Mr McDonagh claimed a copy of the newspaper with the article in it was given to him while he was being held in a Garda cell following his arrest which arose, he claims, because he happened to be “on the beer” with some people who were also arrested in connection with the drugs seizure. He was released after seven days in custody, but never charged or rearrested because, he said, he never had anything to do with drugs in his life.

Mr McDonagh said the article turned his life upside down, caused him to be barred from most pubs in Sligo and made people walk on the other side of the street when they saw him coming.

Mr McDonagh said although he had previous convictions for stealing scrap and petrol, as well as drink driving and having no insurance, he never had anything to do with drugs.

On one occasion, he “battered” a man who had offered his daughter ecstasy in a nightclub because that was “what any father would do”, he said.

The trial continues.