Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) has said that there is “no question” of any disciplinary action arising against either of two lecturers who were defendants in an internet libel case.
GMIT was commenting on last Friday’s High Court settlement and apology to staff member Terry Casey in what is believed to be the first civil libel case here over e-mail content.
Terry Casey, a lecturer in marketing at GMIT’s school of business, initiated legal proceedings against two colleagues and GMIT over e-mail attachments circulated by the two lecturers to other staff in January 2005.
The e-mail was sent by the head of Mr Casey’s department, Larry Elwood, on January 26th and recirculated the following day by Deirdre Lusby, head of the business studies department.
The defendants’ apology on May 14th said that they had published remarks defamatory of Mr Casey “in the way of his office, calling and profession as a lecturer” in GMIT.
“These allegations were entirely without foundation and have caused the plaintiff considerable distress, anxiety and upset,” the apology stated.
The defendants wished to “withdraw the imputations and unreservedly and publicly apologise” to Mr Casey. They agreed to pay a substantial sum in damages and costs.
Mr Casey said last week that the High Court result was a “complete vindication” of his position and reputation, and said that taking the proceedings had caused him great personal distress.