At the end of a long day at the conclusion of a long legal battle, relief was written on the face of Dr Edmund Farrell.

It was in sharp contrast to the hours earlier when he paced the floor outside Court Number 11 of the High Court, smoking a cigarette as he went.

But the pacing diminished as time passed and a broad smile began to emerge - usually increasing after the latest communication from his team of barristers.

The corridors outside the court were crowded as members of both legal teams discussed a possible settlement.

Dr Farrell threw himself into the shuttle diplomacy with vigour, making repeated visits to where the legal teams were gathered.

Neutral spectators could only speculate about what might happen. But passing barristers, not involved in the case, were convinced a settlement was on the cards.

When the court did not resume after lunch, the real legal haggling seemed to begin.

Barristers whispered behind hands; all the time Dr Farrell listened closely, with his wife occasionally joining the discussions.

Among those who had been seated in the public gallery there were whisperings too - about the "house".

The main elements of the settlement were said to have been agreed early in the afternoon, with the remaining details worked out later.

For most of this time, Mr Justice Geoghegan waited in his chambers.

Eventually the legal teams began to slap each other on the back and congratulations were exchanged.

At about 5 p.m. the parties came back into the court and announced the settlement.