Cooper-Flynn jury told to disregard evidence

The jury in the libel trial brought by Mayo TD Ms Beverley Cooper-Flynn against RTE has been instructed to disregard evidence…

The jury in the libel trial brought by Mayo TD Ms Beverley Cooper-Flynn against RTE has been instructed to disregard evidence heard on Friday when it was alleged she sold a financial product to Mr Gary Skelton in the knowledge his money was undeclared.

Ms Cooper-Flynn claims she was libelled in RTÉ broadcasts concerning her and the sale of investment products during the time she was employed in the Financial Advice Service Division of National Irish Bank (NIB).

On Friday the jury heard evidence that Ms Cooper-Flynn was aware Mr Skelton's money was 'hot money'. Ms Cooper-Flynn denied the allegation.

Mr Skelton was due to give evidence this morning but after legal arguments Justice Morris ruled Friday's evidence was inadmissible because the financial product Mr Skelton was sold was of a different nature.

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Mr Justice Morris instructed the jury that the evidence of Mr Skelton dealt with the sale of premier bonds, not the CMI personal portfolio mentioned in the broadcasts.

He told the jury it was no more open to the defence to make allegations about the way she sold cars than it was to bring up the sale of premier bonds.

"I believe the defendants are required to make a defence on those policies and those policies alone," he said.

On Friday Mr Kevin Feeney SC for RTÉ told the court Mr Skelton had a receipt in his possession which showed that Ms Cooper-Flynn was aware he was investing undeclared money.

But Justice Morris told the jury today that they must put that block of evidence out of their mind.

Mr Justice Morris told jurors they must have give regard to the evidence for the purposes of criticising either the plaintiff or the defendants in the case.

The trial resumes this afternoon.