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X Factor judge Louis Walsh settles 500,000 euro defamation case X Factor judge Louis Walsh settles 500,000 euro defamation case
(35 minutes later)
X Factor judge Louis Walsh has settled a 500,000 euro (£403,500) defamation case against Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers.X Factor judge Louis Walsh has settled a 500,000 euro (£403,500) defamation case against Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers.
The music promoter sued the media group after The Sun published a false story that he sexually assaulted a man. The TV talent show panellist sued the media group after the Sun ran a false story that he sexually assaulted a man.
Leonard Watters was jailed for six month for wrongly accusing Mr Walsh of groping him in a nightclub in 2011. Leonard Watters was jailed for six months for wrongly accusing Mr Walsh of groping him in a Dublin club in 2011.
Mr Walsh took legal action against the publisher over the coverage of Irish police inquiries into allegations. Mr Walsh took legal action against the publisher over the coverage of Irish police inquiries into the allegations.
He sued for damages, including for aggravated and exemplary damages, over an article published on 23 June 2011 with the headline Louis Probed Over 'Sex Attack' on Man in Loo.He sued for damages, including for aggravated and exemplary damages, over an article published on 23 June 2011 with the headline Louis Probed Over 'Sex Attack' on Man in Loo.
The paper accepted the accusation was false but denied defamation, saying that it acted fairly.The paper accepted the accusation was false but denied defamation, saying that it acted fairly.
The case had been listed for mention in the High Court in Dublin.The case had been listed for mention in the High Court in Dublin.
Outside court, Mr Walsh said he would not have wished what happened to him on his worst enemy. 'Remained angry'
"I'm very relieved," he said. Mr Walsh said he felt vindicated by the settlement adding that the story had "started with The Irish Sun".
"This has had a terrible effect on me. It was all lies. "I have the utmost respect and time for most journalists with whom I've always enjoyed a good relationship," he said.
"I'm very satisfied with this total vindication for me, but I remain very angry at the treatment I received at the hands of The Sun." He said, however, that he remained angry at the way he had been treated by the paper.
"I am therefore absolutely gutted and traumatised that these allegations against me should have been published, particularly as I had made it clear at the time there was not one iota of truth in them, that I was totally bewildered as to who would have made up this type of story," he said.
"Although the perpetrator has since been convicted as a result of concocting the allegations, this didn't stop the story being spread all around the world as a result of The Sun's headlines."
He said that while no amount of money would compensate him for what he had been through, he was glad to have achieved a decisive and categorical settlement.
Mr Watters, a 25-year-old father-of-two, alleged he had been sexually assaulted by Walsh in a toilet at the club. His first complaint was made to police outside the club within hours of the false attack.Mr Watters, a 25-year-old father-of-two, alleged he had been sexually assaulted by Walsh in a toilet at the club. His first complaint was made to police outside the club within hours of the false attack.
'Offered money'
He was later examined in a sexual assault unit which revealed bruising in his genital area.He was later examined in a sexual assault unit which revealed bruising in his genital area.
Promised payments
Lawyers for the music promoter claimed a crime writer with the Irish edition of The Sun, Joanne McElgunn, met Mr Watters in a hotel on 15 June, bought him dinner and offered him a sum of money on behalf of the newspaper if he agreed to make a complaint to police about being assaulted by Walsh.Lawyers for the music promoter claimed a crime writer with the Irish edition of The Sun, Joanne McElgunn, met Mr Watters in a hotel on 15 June, bought him dinner and offered him a sum of money on behalf of the newspaper if he agreed to make a complaint to police about being assaulted by Walsh.
It is also alleged the journalist travelled with Mr Watters to Pearse Street Garda station so he could make the agreed complaint against Mr Walsh, and that Mr Watters was paid 700 euro (£565) and promised further payments after the story was printed.It is also alleged the journalist travelled with Mr Watters to Pearse Street Garda station so he could make the agreed complaint against Mr Walsh, and that Mr Watters was paid 700 euro (£565) and promised further payments after the story was printed.
When the official complaint was made, The Sun and The Irish Sun printed the story before Mr Walsh was questioned under caution. He vigorously denied the accusation.When the official complaint was made, The Sun and The Irish Sun printed the story before Mr Walsh was questioned under caution. He vigorously denied the accusation.
But within days investigators showed Mr Watters CCTV footage from the club that disputed his claims, and he admitted he had made up the allegation.But within days investigators showed Mr Watters CCTV footage from the club that disputed his claims, and he admitted he had made up the allegation.
Mr Watters, from Navan in County Meath, was arrested, charged and publicly apologised to Walsh for the unfounded claims. He was recently released from jail.Mr Watters, from Navan in County Meath, was arrested, charged and publicly apologised to Walsh for the unfounded claims. He was recently released from jail.
Meanwhile, Mr Walsh took a case against the newspaper, which had been ordered by a judge to hand over all documents identifying or referring to any payments made or offered to Watters.Meanwhile, Mr Walsh took a case against the newspaper, which had been ordered by a judge to hand over all documents identifying or referring to any payments made or offered to Watters.
The orders also applied to Ms McElgunn, Sun journalist Gordon Smart and Dominic Mohan, editor of The Sun, and Michael McNiff, former Irish Sun editor who resigned last month.The orders also applied to Ms McElgunn, Sun journalist Gordon Smart and Dominic Mohan, editor of The Sun, and Michael McNiff, former Irish Sun editor who resigned last month.