A libel action by Mrs Maureen Haughey, wife of the former Taoiseach, against the News of the World was settled in the High Court yesterday. The newspaper apologised to Mrs Haughey over an article published in November 1997 and is to pay her undisclosed damages. Mr and Mrs Haughey were in Court 4 of the Four Courts when Mr Justice Kelly and a jury were told the action against the publishers, News Group Newspapers Ltd, of Virginia Street, London, had been settled.
A statement read on behalf of the newspaper made no reference to financial terms. Lawyers later said Mrs Haughey was to be paid an undisclosed sum.
The statement, read by Mr Paul O'Higgins SC, for the defence, said: "In a front-page article in the News of the World on November 2nd, 1997, it was suggested that Mrs Maureen Haughey has mysteriously left the family home. This was incorrect and Mrs Haughey was, in fact, on holiday.
"We apologise fully to her for any distress or embarrassment caused to her or her family by the article."
Afterwards, Mr Tom Crone, chief legal adviser to the newspaper group, said they had published in good faith and as soon as they realised it was incorrect they published an apology. He described the amount paid as "modest by Irish standards".
Ms Deirdre Courtney, of Ivor Fitzpatrick & Co, solicitors for Mrs Haughey, confirmed that money had been involved in the settlement. But she said the main thing for Mrs Haughey was getting an apology in court. Mrs Haughey was very pleased with the outcome.