Ahern "delighted" with successful libel action

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has said he is delighted that his character was vindicated at the Circuit court today when he was awarded £30,000 in a libel action against Denis “Starry” O’Brien.

Mr O’Brien had alleged he gave Mr Ahern £50,000 in secret on behalf of property developer Owen O’Callaghan in 1989.

Speaking after the ruling, the Taoiseach said he chose to take the legal action so that the people could see the allegation was false.

He described the claims as “fairly devasting”, adding “it said I was a fraud, it said I was a gangster, it said I was corrupt”.

He said that if he receives the damages, he would donate them to charity.