The action by Irish Permanent against three defendants who had been sued together with the society's former chief executive Dr Edmund Farrell has been settled, the High Court was told yesterday. Two weeks ago, Mr Justice Geoghegan was told that Irish Permanent's actions against Dr Farrell and his wife Zora, and against Dublin solicitor, Mr Stephen McKenzie, who had acted as legal consultant to the society, had been settled.

Proceedings against three other defendants were put back until last week. However, as Mr Justice Geoghegan then had to hear and give judgment in the case of the 13year-old pregnant rape victim, he was unable to take up the Irish Permanent case and it was adjourned until yesterday.

The three remaining defendants were Mr Kelvin Smythe, a financial consultant, of Blackrock, Co Dublin; and two consultancy groups, Quasar Corporation, of Delaware, US, and Trivo, of the Isle of Man.

When the case was called in the High Court yesterday, lawyers asked Mr Justice Geoghegan for further time. Throughout the day, discussions took place outside the courtroom. Shortly before 4.30 p.m., the sides went into court and Mr Patrick MacEntee SC, told Mr Justice Geoghegan that the case had been settled. He said the sides were grateful to the judge for giving them time. Counsel asked that the case be adjourned for mention to the first day of the new law term in January.

Mr Daniel O'Keeffe SC, for Mr Smythe and the two consultancy groups, said they were grateful to the judge for the time allowed.