Ex-FF minister Pat Carey secures damages and apology from Garda Commissioner over leak

Mr Carey alleged that information in the reports published by Independent Newspapers was disclosed to the media unlawfully by servants or agents of the Garda commissioner

Pat Carey was not named in the reports, but claims he had to make a public statement rejecting the innuendo that surrounded him following their publication, as well as having to step down from roles he held at the time. File Picture: PA

Former Fianna Fáil minister Pat Carey has received damages, believed to be about €250,000, and an apology from the Garda Commissioner and all his legal costs under a settlement of his action over two newspaper articles relating to a criminal investigation.

The Garda Commissioner has apologised before the High Court to Mr Carey for the "severe and wholly unjustified distress" the former TD suffered after information in relation to a Garda investigation made its way into the public domain. The legal costs in the case are believed to be substantial.