Cooper-Flynn 'did not respond to allegations'

The High Court has been told that Beverly Cooper-Flynn declined an opportunity to respond to allegations made against her by RTE in June 1998.

RTE claimed the Mayo TD had encouraged people to break the law by investing money in offshore investment schemes in the early 1990s.

RTE reporter Charlie Bird said he interviewed people who had invested in CMI offshore schemes, and all claimed they had done so after they were persuaded by Beverly Flynn.

Retired Co Meath farmer James Howard told Mr Bird that Miss Flynn said to him: "Why give the Government 15%?".

When RTE prepared to transmit the allegations, Mr Bird contacted Ms Cooper-Flynn in advance by telephone and letter but she did not respond, the court heard.

The court was told the story had more weight to it because Ms Cooper-Flynn was a sitting TD. Ms Cooper-Flynn is suing RTE and Mr Howard for libel.