In the editions of Friday, July 11th, 1997, in An Irishman's Diary by Kevin
Myers in relation to Mr Charles Haughey, there occurred the words "how the
Attorney General gave sanctuary to a man who turned out to be a murderer".
These words occurred in a paragraph in which Mr Myers listed a number of very serious illegalities said to have occurred during Mr Haughey's term of office as
Taoiseach in 1982.
The Irish Times and Mr Myers acknowledge that the words quoted above referred to, and were understood to refer to Mr Patrick Connolly, SC, the then Attorney
General.
The Irish Times and Mr Myers acknowledge that in wording and context the words carried the implication that Mr Connolly had harboured a man whom he knew to have been guilty of serious crime, and had shielded him from arrest. The
Irish Times and Mr Myers acknowledge that such imputation is gravely defamatory of Mr Connolly, as a person, as a barrister, and as a Constitutional office holder.
The Irish Times and Mr Myers completely accept that Mr Connolly had no knowledge whatsoever of any wrongdoing on the part of his house guest; they totally retract any imputation against him and apologise unreservedly for the publication of the words, and for any offence or hurt caused to him.