An appeal by Fianna Fáil TD Beverley Cooper-Flynn arising from her libel action against RTÉ, journalist Charlie Bird and retired farmer James Howard will be heard by the Supreme Court on February 18th.
When the case was mentioned in the Supreme Court yesterday, the judges were told submissions in relation to the appeal had now been lodged.
Ms Cooper-Flynn had brought proceedings in the High Court claiming she was libelled in a series of broadcasts. In March 2001, after a 28-day hearing, the jury found the defendants had not proved Ms Cooper-Flynn induced Mr Howard to evade his lawful obligation to pay tax by not availing of the tax amnesty.
It found the defendants had proved she advised or encouraged other persons to evade tax.
There was no award of damages. Ms Cooper-Flynn was ordered to pay the entire costs of the hearing, estimated at some £2 million. A stay was placed on the order pending the outcome of the appeal.
Man remanded until next year
A man was charged at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday in connection with a Garda swoop on a suspected Continuity IRA training camp in the Comeragh mountains last August.
Mr Dean Coleman (22), Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, faced three charges: unlawfully assembling for the purposes of practising or training in the use of firearms at Knocknaree, Knockatedaun, Co Waterford, last August 3rd; receiving training in the use of firearms and unlawful possession of a rifle.
The court heard the trial of eight other men facing charges connected with the incident is due to go ahead next year. It remanded Mr Coleman in custody and sent him for trial with them next January 11th.
De Bruin husband on driving charge
The husband of former Olympic swimmer Michelle de Bruin appeared before Waterford District Court yesterday on charges relating to a motoring offence. Mr Eric de Bruin, Kells, Co Kilkenny, was charged with driving without reasonable consideration for the safety of other road users.
The alleged incident, reported to the Garda Traffic Watch, occurred last September 23rd. Judge William Harnett adjourned the case until February 26th.
Jury to return in manslaughter trial
The trial of four youths charged with the manslaughter of student Brian Murphy outside the Burlington Hotel continued yesterday in legal argument in the absence of the jury.
The four former Blackrock College students have pleaded not guilty. Judge Michael White has requested the jury to return at 2 p.m. today.
Social worker settles action
A former social worker, who claimed she contracted tuberculosis while working with the Eastern Health Board, has settled her High Court action for damages. Ms Katherine Flanagan (57), a widow, Sutton, Co Dublin, had sued the board arising from being diagnosed with TB in 1994. As the action was about to enter its third day yesterday, Mr John O'Donnell SC, for Ms Flanagan, said the proceedings could be struck out. Mr Justice Kearns said he was glad the parties had resolved matters.