Ahern to stand in defamation case

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, will attend the Dublin Circuit Civil Court later this morning to testify in a successful defamation case against a Cork man.

Mr Ahern is expected to tell the court of the damage caused to his character by an allegation that he accepted a £50,000 bribe in 1989.

The claim had been made by retired Cork businessman Denis 'Starry' O'Brien from Glanmire.

The Taoiseach had initiated legal proceedings in the circuit civil court, but last week Mr O'Brien withdrew his defence.