This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20524505
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
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 TV talent show panellist sued the media group after the Sun ran 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 months for wrongly accusing Mr Walsh of groping him in a Dublin club 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 the 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. |
'Remained angry' | 'Remained angry' |
Mr Walsh said he felt vindicated by the settlement adding that the story had "started with the Irish Sun". | |
"I have the utmost respect and time for most journalists with whom I've always enjoyed a good relationship," he said. | "I have the utmost respect and time for most journalists with whom I've always enjoyed a good relationship," he said. |
He said, however, that he remained angry at the way he had been treated by the paper. | 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. | "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. | 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. |
Watters, a 25-year-old father-of-two, alleged he had been sexually assaulted by Mr Walsh in a toilet at the club. His first complaint was made to police outside the club within hours of the false attack. | |
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 | Promised payments |
Lawyers for the music promoter claimed a crime writer with the Irish edition of the Sun, Joanne McElgunn, met 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 Watters to Pearse Street Garda station so he could make the agreed complaint against Mr Walsh, and that 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. | |
But within days investigators showed Watters CCTV footage from the club that disputed his claims, and he admitted he had made up the allegation. | |
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. |