Cooper-Flynn very disappointed with result

Ms Beverley Cooper-Flynn refused to speculate on the political implications of the court's decision last night.

She told reporters she was obviously very disappointed with the decision and "profoundly disagreed" with the jury's finding that she had improperly advised other CMI investors. An appeal was being considered, she said.

"I suppose sometimes you often think that there is a reason for everything but it's a little bit hard to see the good side of this today, at the moment," she said. "And, as I say it is a disappointing result."

Asked if she would be standing for re-election, she said: "I have issued my statement. I have nothing more to say than that."

In her formal statement, Ms Cooper-Flynn claimed it had been made clear in court that she had been targeted by RTE "and that RTE would never have shown their broadcasts without Mr Howard appearing."

"This evening a jury have decided that I never sold a CMI personal portfolio to James Howard, the man central to the RTE broadcast I sued over.

"In my first public statement on this matter, and throughout my time in court, I said that I had never advised any of my clients to evade their lawful obligations to pay tax. I repeat that today," she said.

Over the past seven weeks in court she had expressed her position very clearly and she would still insist "that I did not advise people in the manner found by the jury today".

When Mr Justice Morris read out the jury's findings, Ms Cooper-Flynn showed no visible reaction. She quickly left the courtroom after the verdict and went into a consulting room, flanked by family members and her legal team.

Mr James Howard, the farmer sued by Ms Cooper-Flynn, remained in the courtroom with his daughters and his legal team.

His daughter, Ms Marina Howard, said the family had nothing to say at that time.

A spokesman for RTE refused to say if the station saw the decision not to award damages as a victory for its stance.

Mr Kevin Healy, RTE's public affairs manager, said: "We have no further comment at this stage" when asked if it was a victory.

"We note the outcome of this case. It has been a long and difficult case for everyone involved," he said. "We would like to thank all who came forward to give evidence, in particular the Howard family, and our legal team for their efforts."

Mr Charlie Bird said he was looking forward to returning to his work as a journalist.

"The only thing I want to say is, first of all, to say thank you to all the legal team and particularly to my boss Ed Mulhall," he said. Mr Bird described the news editor as "a brilliant person".

"I'm a working journalist and I want to go back to work on Monday and back to the job that I know best, and that's all I really want to do and say."

Asked if the courtrooms were more difficult than reporting from the plinth at Leinster House, he said: "You know they are, you know they are."