The Irish Mirror newspaper has apologised for a "totally false" report concerning an employee of Mr Charles Haughey. It had suggested that a woman employed as a groom by the former Taoiseach many years ago had had an "improper relationship" with him.
In the High Court yesterday, Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd apologised to the woman, Ms Ruth Henderson. It was also stated that the group was paying her damages and costs of her legal action against it. The sum was not disclosed but it is understood to be in excess of £50,000.
Defamation proceedings were taken by Ms Henderson, a physical training instructor, of Sandyford, Dublin, arising out of the report in the newspaper two years ago. The settlement was announced to Mr Justice O'Higgins by Mr Garrett Cooney SC, for Ms Henderson.