The Garda Commissioner and the State apologised yesterday at the High Court for "wholly unwarranted", "untrue" and "hurtful" statements made by two gardaí concerning a solicitor. They also acknowledged that Ms Grainne Malone is a solicitor "of the highest standing in her profession".
The apology to Ms Malone was expressed in a statement read to the court on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Ireland and the Attorney General as part of the settlement of proceedings for defamation taken by the solicitor.
The action by Ms Malone, St Patrick's Terrace, Inchicore, Dublin, was listed to start yesterday morning before Mr Justice Iarflaith O'Neill and a jury. However, following discussions between lawyers for the sides, the judge was told the matter had been resolved.
In a statement read in court on behalf of the defendants, it was stated that, in April 2000, during the course of an interview in Tallaght Garda station, two members of An Garda Síochána made statements concerning Ms Malone "which quite wrongly impugned her professional integrity and competence".
The statement continued: "The defendants in these proceedings at all times acknowledged that these statements were wholly unwarranted and untrue and reiterate that acknowledgement now."
The statement added that disciplinary action has been brought against the members concerned.