THE libel action by the former Taoiseach, Mr Albert Reynolds, against the Sunday Times, which opens in the High Court in London this morning, could last four or five weeks.
The alleged libel concerns an article published in the British editions of the paper on November 20th, 1994, about the collapse of the Fianna Fail Labour coalition and Mr Reynolds's Dail speeches at the time.
A total of about 10 witnesses are to be called by both sides. Mr Reynolds's former government colleagues, Mr Charlie McCreevy and Mr Noel Dempsey, may be asked to appear on his behalf. The Labour Party adviser, Mr Fergus Finlay, is due to appear for the paper.
Mr Reynolds was the first Taoiseach to initiate litigation for libel while in office. Last February, he settled a High Court action against The Irish Times arising out of an article published in July, 1993.
The London case could have political ramifications if the events leading to the fall of the previous government are once again given an airing. These events were the subject of an inquiry by the Dail's Legislation and Security Committee, which published all the evidence given before it but did not make any judgment on the conflicting accounts provided by witnesses.