Rabbitte: I had ‘no hand’ in RTÉ libel case settlement

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte said he had “no hand” in determining how RTÉ dealt with a recent defamation case over comments he made on air.

The broadcaster made an out of court settlement with a retired detective over comments made by Mr Rabbitte in 2006 relating to the wrongful charging of Dublin man Dean Lyons for a double murder in 1997.

Mr Rabbitte told the Seanad yesterday he wanted to respond to comments made by Fianna Fáil senator Terry Layden, who said it was a “coincidence” the settlement was made the same day the minister met the RTÉ board.