RTÉ and chief news correspondent Charlie Bird have been awarded costs of €1.6 million arising out of their successful defence of a libel action brought by Beverley Flynn.
In 2001 the former Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo lost her High Court libel action arising from a report broadcast on RTÉ. The action was against RTÉ, Mr Bird and farmer James Howard.
In 2004 the Supreme Court heard an appeal against the result of the High Court hearing and in a reserved judgment the judges unanimously rejected her appeal.
Ms Flynn had alleged she was libelled in six broadcasts in 1998 that reported she had encouraged or assisted a number of persons in tax evasion as an employee of National Irish Bank.