No conspiracy against Cooper-Flynn, Bird tells court

RTE reporter Charlie Bird has told the High Court that he was not involved in any set-up or conspiracy against Beverly Cooper-Flynn.

The court heard that when RTE set out to broadcast the expose about Ms Cooper-Flynn in June 1998, Mr Bird made several approaches to the Mayo TD.

He said she was given "every opportunity" to respond to the allegations but turned each one down.

Ms Cooper-Flynn is suing RTE and Co Meath farmer James Howard for libel.