A claim for damages for hearing loss taken by a former soldier, now a tipstaff (usher) to a High Court judge, was settled at the Four Courts yesterday. The action against the Minister for Defence, Ireland and the Attorney General taken by Mr Patrick Dempsey, Park Drive Close, Castleknock, tipstaff to Mr Justice Johnson, was due for hearing yesterday. But when the case was called before Mr Justice Quirke, Mr Alan Mahon SC, with Mr Bruce Antoniotti SC, for Mr Dempsey said the matter was settled and could be struck out.