THE former chief executive of CIE, Mr Noel Kennedy, has settled his libel action against Independent Newspapers and journalists Sam Smyth and Mall Cooper.
Mr Kevin Feeney SC, for Independent Newspapers, read out an agreed statement before Judge Esmond Smyth in the Circuit Civil Court which said the defendants acknowledged Mr Kennedy had been a loyal "and competent servant of CIE for 47 years. He had always acted with due authority and carried out his duties, including overseas assignments, on the company's behalf.
The statement said Mr Kennedy retired from his position and had not been removed for any reason as had been indicated in an article in the Irish Independent in November 1995.
Mr Feeney said Independent Newspapers regretted the incorrect reference to the plaintiff as having been removed from his post and apologised to him for the error and any embarrassment caused to him. Mr Kennedy had sought to have these matters rectified and the defendants were happy to do so.
