Judge John O'Hagan will be asked in Dublin Circuit Civil Court next Tuesday to assess damages in the defamation action by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, against Cork businessman Mr Denis "Starry" O'Brien.
Mr Ahern took the action against Mr O'Brien, of Ballyharoon House, Glanmire, Cork, after a claim was made by Mr O'Brien that he had given the Fianna Fail leader £50,000 on behalf of a property developer.
Last week Mr Ahern's legal team received a letter informing them that Mr O'Brien was withdrawing his defence to the Taoiseach's action before the full trial was listed for hearing on July 10th.
In the absence of a defence by Mr O'Brien, next Tuesday's hearing will consist of an assessment of damages by Judge O'Hagan, who will hear Mr Ahern in evidence reject Mr O'Brien's allegations and tell the court how he was affected by them.
