TWO ACTIONS by a prison officer alleging he was libelled in two newspaper articles have been settled and struck out at the High Court.
Robert O'Neill, Little Place Woods, Clonee, Dublin, had sued The Irish Times Ltd over an article published in The Irish Timeson June 12th, 2006, under the headline: "Prison officer may have faked injury."
He also sued News Group Newspapers after a similar article was published in the Irish Sunthe following day.
Both defendant newspapers denied libel.
The cases were listed for hearing before Mr Justice Eamon de Valera and a jury yesterday but, after talks between the sides, the court was told by Michael O’Higgins SC, for Mr O’Neill, the cases had settled and could be struck out with no further order.
James O'Callaghan SC represented The Irish Timeswhile Oisín Quinn SC appeared for News Group Newspapers.
Mr Justice de Valera made the orders sought and said he was very pleased the matter had resolved.