O'Brien defamation jury told case is 'of immense importance'

The jury in Denis O'Brien's defamation action against the Irish Daily Mail has been told it is a case of immense importance about the freedom to express an opinion.

Barrister Oisín Quinn, for the newspaper, is giving a final address to the jury before it begins its deliberations this afternoon.

The Digicel Chairman is suing the Mail and journalist Paul Drury over an article that appeared in January 2010 under the headline 'Moriarty's about to Report. No wonder Denis O'Brien is acting the saint in stricken Haiti'.

Denis O'Brien claims the piece means his involvement in the earthquake relief effort was hypocritical and primarily motivated by self-interest.

This is denied by Paul Drury and the newspaper.