A High Court action arising from the planned publication of a new biography of former Taoiseach Mr Charles Haughey, taken by a woman who was employed in the 1970s as a groom at Mr Haughey's estate, has been settled.
Under the terms of an agreement yesterday, the book's author, Mr Kevin O'Connor, has undertaken not to publish anything in his book Sweetie about Ms Ruth Henderson other than a text agreed between the parties.
No further details of the agreement were given to the court.
Mr Michael McDowell SC, for Ms Henderson, told Ms Justice Macken the matter had been settled on the above basis.
The judge struck out the proceedings on the basis of the agreement between the parties.
In the proceedings, which were adjourned on a number of occasions, Ms Henderson, of Wedgewood, Sandyford, Co Dublin, had sought an injunction to prevent publication of the book. In 1970, she was a 19-year-old groom employed at Mr Haughey's estate in Kinsealy, Co Dublin.
She attended a press conference at Kinsealy in 1970 at which she gave details about seeing Mr Haughey - who was then minister for finance - fall from a horse. The incident occurred on the day of the Budget.
Ms Henderson had claimed Mr O'Connor intended to publish in his forthcoming book what he contended was a truthful account of how Mr Haughey came by his injuries.
She claimed Mr O'Connor's account would convey the clear and unambiguous meaning that she was a co-conspirator with Mr Haughey and others in providing an alibi for the ex-Taoiseach.
Afterwards, Mr O'Connor, of Roundwood, Co Wicklow, told journalists the agreement was confidential. He added his book would be issued later this week or early next week.