A district Court judge awarded €25,000 damages by a High Court jury after it found he was libelled in a Sunday Independent article was yesterday awarded costs estimated at almost €100,000 against Independent Newspapers.
Ms Justice Carroll granted costs on the Circuit Court scale to Judge Joseph Mangan for the case which had been heard in the High Court over a total of seven days - five days earlier this month and two days in a previous trial which was aborted in 2000.
Yesterday's decision means that if Judge Mangan's lawyers were to charge him the difference between High Court costs and the costs he was awarded yesterday, he might have to pay them about €190,000. However, it is understood his lawyers will not be seeking the difference.
If lawyers for Independent Newspapers were to seek their full costs from the company, a figure of €290,000 could be involved. However, because their lawyers regularly act for them, the costs bill is expected to be considerably less.
On the application of counsel for the newspaper, Ms Justice Carroll put a stay on her order for costs and on the damages award in the event of an appeal.
Mr Michael Roche, managing editor of Independent Newspapers, said the decision on costs would be appealed.