Madam, - Having read Fintan O'Toole's recent articles, may I suggest two proposals.
First, that the question of whether a person was libelled should continue to be determined by a jury.
Second, that the quantum of damages awarded be decided by the judge in the case.
If these proposals were to be accepted, most such libel actions could be settled before the court hearing.
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A jury should be required only to determine questions of fact.
It is unreasonable to have a jury decide matters of quantum, as they will have no past experience to guide them on this matter.
- Yours, etc.,
FRANK MURPHY,
Old Quarry,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.