A libel action brought against the Meath Chronicle by a Co Meath couple, who own a video shop, was settled in the High Court yesterday. Noel and Margaret Donnelly of Gaskinstown, Duleek, claimed they were libelled in a December 19th, 1992, report in the newspaper under the heading of "Two fined for Having illegal Video Tapes. IRA Funding Probe Led Gardai to House in Navan".
The Donnellys, who have a shop at Brew's Hill, Navan, alleged the article meant they were involved in raising IRA funds; were offering videos knowing them to have infringed copyright to raise IRA funds, and were bankrolling illegal organisations.
The newspaper claimed it published a fair and accurate report of District Court proceedings in Navan on December 9th, 1992, under absolute privilege.
Yesterday, on the second day of the hearing, Mr Justice O'Higgins was told the action had been settled and could be struck out.