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.

Hugh Mohan, counsel for Mr Dearey, told Judge Jacqueline Linnane yesterday that the parties had amicably resolved their differences on non-monetary terms.

Brian Murray, counsel for Mr Smith and Village Magazine, said it had been agreed he would publicly reiterate an apology given to Mr Dearey in the October issue of Village Magazine.

Mr Murray said Mr Dearey was not a member of Louth County Council at the time of the vote in 2007 and “did not and could not have voted” for the Carnbeg development referred to in the article.

He said Village Magazine apologised to Mr Dearey and wholeheartedly accepts that he is fit for public office.

The parties acknowledged each other’s bona fides and long-standing commitment to progressive planning.

The magazine, in its printed apology, stated its acceptance that there was no question over Mr Dearey’s probity in planning matters.

Judge Linnane yesterday struck out the proceedings with no further order.