The governor of Mountjoy Prison has settled a High Court libel action against Independent Newspapers over an article that was published almost six years ago.
John Lonergan issued defamation proceedings arising out of an article published in the Evening Herald on October 16th, 2001.
Gerry Danaher SC, for Mr Lonergan, told Mr Justice Peter Charleton and a jury yesterday that the "parties had resolved their differences" and that the matter could be struck out. No terms of settlement were revealed.
Eoin McCullough SC, on behalf of Independent Newspapers, read an apology to Mr Lonergan.
The apology stated: "In some editions of the 16th October, we reported an equality claim being taken against the State and Mountjoy prison. The article carried a photograph of prison governor John Lonergan. We wish to make it absolutely clear that John Lonergan was being sued only in his capacity as governor of Mountjoy prison. The allegations of wrongdoing were made against an individual prison officer and had no other connection with John Lonergan.
"We wish to apologise to Mr Lonergan and his family for the embarrassment, hurt and distress caused to them as a result of the publication of the article in question," Mr McCullough said.