New trials were ordered by the Supreme Court yesterday in the case of two brothers who sued the Sunday Times and a number of journalists for libel.
Mr Patrick Murphy, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, and Mr Thomas Murphy, Dundalk, Co Louth, took the action arising from an article on June 30th, 1985, dealing with an IRA plan bomb British seaside resorts.
Following a High Court hearing which ended in March 1990, Mr Patrick Murphy was awarded £15,000 damages and costs. The action by his brother was dismissed and costs were awarded to the defendants.
Mr Thomas Murphy appealed to the Supreme Court in his case while in Mr Patrick Murphy's case both parties appealed.