THE former Taoiseach, Mr Albert Reynolds, yesterday settled a High Court libel action he had taken against The Irish Times.
After out of court talks Mr Seamus McKenna SC, for Mr Reynolds, told Mr Justice Kinlen and a jury that the court would not be troubled. He then read out a short, agreed statement.
"These proceedings arise from an article published by the defendant on July 27th, 1993, in relation to which the defendant published, shortly thereafter, an apology in terms approved by the plaintiff.
"Appropriate compensation has now been agreed amicably between the parties from which the plaintiff has decided to make donations to charities of his choice.
"It has also been agreed that the defendant will pay the plaintiffs costs to be taxed in default of agreement."
Mr Justice Kinlen said it was very satisfactory for agreement to be reached between the parties, rather than having to go through the cut and thrust of a trial and indeed the anxieties of a trial.
Mr Reynolds was present in court. Also present was former Government press secretary Mr Sean Duignan, who was to have been called as a witness.