An action by former Irish rugby coach Mick Doyle alleging he was libelled in a Sunday Independent article was settled at the High Court yesterday.
The settlement was announced following lengthy negotiations between lawyers for the sides. An apology to Mr Doyle is to be published. He also said he is to receive a financial settlement but could not disclose details.
Yesterday was to have been the third day of the hearing before the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Finnegan, and a jury of six men and six women.
Mr Doyle (61), of Sherlockstown Lodge, Sallins, Co Kildare, had sued over an article published on February 13th, 2000, which stated that within two seasons of winning a Triple Crown in 1985, he had become ostracised by the decision-making core among the players. He was coach from 1984 to 1987.
In evidence, Mr Doyle said he was never ostracised by any player whom he had coached. As an amateur, he had devoted days, weeks and months to the Irish team.
Mr Doyle was the only witness to have been called and his cross-examination had not concluded when the settlement was agreed. If the case had continued, it would have lasted several more days.
The defence had pleaded that the words complained of were true in substance and were fair comment on a matter of public interest.
Yesterday, Mr Garrett Cooney SC, for Mr Doyle, said negotiations between the sides had been successful. The action had been settled on terms acceptable to both parties and the proceedings could be struck out.
Mr Kevin Feeney SC, for the defence, said an apology to Mr Doyle would be published in tomorrow's Sunday Independent.
Several former Irish rugby internationals were present in court at times during the hearing. They included Tony Ward, Jim Glennon, Philip Orr and Paul Dean.
Following the settlement, Mr Doyle said he was happy that the case was finished. He had wanted to vindicate his name and he was receiving an apology.
He said he got a financial settlement but it was a private deal and he had been told not to say anything of it.