RTÉ has confirmed it is taking "all appropriate steps" to recover the money owed to it by Mayo TD Beverley Flynn arising from her failed libel action against the station amid reports that it has asked the Mayo county sheriff to help collect the debt.
The sheriff is empowered to take action including the seizing of property and assets in pursuit of the payment of sums arising from court judgments. The High Court taxing master awarded RTÉ and its chief news correspondent Charlie Bird €1.5 million in costs last year arising from the 28 day libel action Ms Flynn took and lost in 2001.
An RTÉ spokeswoman would not confirm yesterday a report in Ireland on Sunday that the station had asked the county sheriff to take all legal means necessary to recover the debt, and that the station would seek to add interest to the sum. "RTÉ confirms that it is taking all appropriate steps to recover the monies awarded to it, as it is public money," she said.
Ms Flynn could not be contacted for comment yesterday. As well as the money owed to RTÉ, she owes a further substantial sum to farmer James Howard, who she also sued unsuccessfully. She also has her own legal costs to deal with.
Ms Flynn had alleged she was libelled in six RTÉ broadcasts in 1998 which reported that as an employee of National Irish Bank she had encouraged tax evasion.
She is now an independent deputy, having been expelled from Fianna Fáil. She has said she will contest the next general election. However, if she was declared bankrupt she would be disqualified.