Businessman awarded €75,000 over defamatory article in Limerick Leader newspaper

William Bird claimed that as a result of the article people in the village of Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, where he lives, had avoided him

William Bird (pictured) sued Iconic Newspapers Ltd, publishers of the Limerick Leader, over an article in the paper in June 2016, listing tax settlements from a list published by the Revenue Commissioners. Picture: Collins Courts

A High Court jury has awarded a businessman €75,000 over a defamatory article in the Limerick Leader which said he was a tax defaulter.

William Bird (82) a director of William Bird Limerick Ltd and operator of the Stella Bingo Hall in Shannon Street, Limerick, sued Iconic Newspapers Ltd, publishers of the Limerick Leader, over an article in the paper in June 2016, listing tax settlements from a list published by the Revenue Commissioners.