Journalist receives apology as defamation case settled

A journalist has settled her defamation action against her former employers, Independent Newspapers.

Yesterday at the High Court, Independent Newspapers unreservedly apologised to Gemma ODoherty for any stress and hardship caused to her. The case was settled with undisclosed damages to the journalist.

Ms ODoherty had brought defamation proceedings against Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd, and Stephen Rae the editor in chief of the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, and Herald newspapers as a result of her treatment, and subsequent departure from the newspaper, following an investigation she carried out into penalty points.

High Court president Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns was informed by counsel for Ms ODoherty, Martin Hayden, the action had been resolved and could be struck out.

On behalf of the defendants a statement was read to the court by their counsel Ray Ryan.

It stated: Independent Newspapers wish to acknowledge the exceptional work of multi-award winning investigative journalist Gemma ODoherty for the Irish Independent during the course of a lengthy career.

Independent Newspapers accept that Gemma ODoherty has acted at all times in a professional and diligent manner and in the best interests of Independent Newspapers. Independent Newspapers unreservedly apologise to Ms ODoherty for the stress and hardship caused to her and her husband as a result of its actions. Independent Newspapers have agreed to pay Ms ODoherty undisclosed damages and to indemnify her in relation to her legal costs.

All other details of the settlement are confidential.

The journalist brought proceedings after she was made redundant from the newspaper in 2013.

Shortly before Christmas, Ms ODoherty settled her unfair dismissal case against her former employers.

Follow this link:
Journalist receives apology as defamation case settled