Tánaiste settles libel case

A libel action taken by Tánaiste Mary Harney against the Sunday Independent was today settled at Dublin’s High Court.

The court heard the matter had been resolved and a full apology would appear in the next issue of the newspaper.

Kevin Feeney SC, for the defendant, Independent Newspapers Ireland Ltd, read out an apology.

He stated: “In our edition of 14th January 2001 we published an article concerning Mary Harney.

“Miss Harney issued libel proceedings claiming that the article suggested that she had been a recipient of payments of a corrupt nature.

“We are happy to confirm that no suggestion to that effect was either intended or envisaged by us.

“We readily acknowledge Miss Harney’s excellent character and integrity and unreservedly apologise to her for the hurt caused by the article.”