Monica Leech loses appeal over €165k solicitors' fee

The solicitors had represented the former public relations consultant for seven years in defamation proceedings against the Evening Herald and other titles in the Independent Newspapers Group

In 2015, the Supreme Court reduced the award to Monica Leech on appeal to €1.25m, plus costs. Photo: Collins Courts

Former public relations consultant Monica Leech has lost her appeal over rulings allowing a €165,000 instruction fee and certain other costs to a law firm which represented her in a defamation case.

A High Court jury had awarded Ms Leech €1.87m damages, plus costs, in 2009 over articles published in the Evening Herald in 2004. In 2015, the Supreme Court reduced the award on appeal to €1.25m, plus costs.