Magazine apologises to councillor for corruption remarks

Village Magazine and its editor, barrister Michael Smith, have apologised in court to Green Party councillor Mark Dearey for remarks it made about him in a planning “corruption special” last year.

Mr Dearey, of Corrakit, Omeath, Co Louth, had asked the Circuit Civil Court for a declaratory order in respect of what he described as a “false and defamatory publication” about him in the August-September issue in 2013.

Mr Dearey alleged that Mr Smith was the author of the article which claimed Mr Dearey had voted in favour of a development which contravened Louth County Council’s development plan.