U2's ex-stylist ordered to return items to band

Former stylist to U2 Lola Cashman has been ordered to return a pair of trousers, a sweatshirt, a Stetson hat and a pair of earrings to the band.

Circuit Court president Mr Justice Matthew Deery also told her to hand over a special Christmas decoration, 88 Polaroid pictures and 117 other photographs of U2 members which were taken during their Joshua Tree tour in the late 1980s.

Ms Cashman was not present to hear the judgment. She is unlikely now to proceed with her defamation case in a London court against the band.

None of the band was in court either, as they were performing in Poland last night. However, they issued a statement through their publicists.

"We are relieved that this matter has now concluded. This case was brought very reluctantly, in the context of a larger dispute which we never invited," it said.

"The point of principle involved was of much greater significance to us than any item of memorabilia. We thank the court for its patience and we wish Ms Cashman well in the future."

U2 had sought the return of the items after they were offered for sale through the auction house, Christie's, in London. The band wrote to Christie's, questioning Ms Cashman's ownership of the four main items.

She in turn took a case against the band claiming their letter defamed her.

Bono had told the court that the Stetson had taken on iconic status, and giving it away would be tantamount to The Edge giving away one of his guitars.

Ms Cashman had claimed Bono had given her the trousers and sweatshirt when she was clearing out a trunk.

"I think it is highly unlikely the items were given in this way. The weight of the evidence is entirely against the defendant's version of events," said Judge Deery.

He also said Ms Cashman had retained the photographs and claimed they were her property.

He was satisfied from the evidence these photographs had come into existence as a result of Ms Cashman's employment with the band, and the film used was purchased with money provided by U2.

Judge Deery said he did not accept that the proceedings had been brought by U2 "to hamper defamation proceedings in a London court". However, he continued: "The outcome of these proceedings will substantially determine the issues in the English court."

It was appropriate that the ownership of the items be resolved in an Irish court. The band seemed to be "extraordinarily successful", and it seemed unlikely to him that they would have pursued a claim of this nature if the subject matter had not been extremely important to the band.

"These proceedings should deal with all outstanding issues. It would be undesirable that any of the parties should have to consider further proceedings," he said.

He ordered that Ms Cashman deliver the items back to U2 within a period of seven days.