Sir, - I refer to the article by Paul Cullen published in your edition of Saturday, January 30th, under the heading "Rumours .. . allegations .. . and some truth."
In the article, Mr Cullen incorrectly stated in relation to the awarding of MMDS licences in 1989 that "20 out of 29 of these monopoly licences went to companies owned or part-owned by the newspaper magnate Dr Tony O'Reilly."
On May 28th, 1998, Princes Holdings Ltd, a company jointly owned by Independent Newspapers, PLC (50 per cent) and the US Telecommunications company TCI issued a statement to all the media, including The Irish Times. The following paragraphs were included in this statement.
"In September 1989, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Independent Wireless Cable Limited, Princes Holdings was awarded seven licences for Meath, Louth, Cavan, Wicklow and Wexford areas. The company had applied at that time for 14 licences.
"In 1992, Princes Holdings acquired control of Westward Cable, which had been awarded seven licences in 1989, and of Cork Communications, which in 1989 had been awarded four licences. Princes Holdings had minority shareholdings in those companies in 1989."
As to Mr Cullen's other assertions, Independent Newspapers plc is a listed company, quoted on the London and Irish stock exchanges and owned by all of its shareholders. - Yours, etc., Noreen O'Kelly, Company secretary, Independent Newspapers, plc,
Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2.