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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 |
(about 5 hours 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". | 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." | "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. | 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. |
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. |
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. | Watters, from Navan in County Meath, was arrested, charged and publicly apologised to Walsh for the unfounded claims. He was recently released from jail. |
Paul Tweed,Mr Walsh's solicitor, said: "Although the person who fabricated the story has since been convicted in the criminal courts, this is a prime example of the serious damage that can be inflicted on an individual, whether they are well-known or not, by the publication of totally unfounded allegations which, in the age of the internet, can circumnavigate the globe in a matter of seconds. | |
"The serious consequences of worldwide dissemination online of a defamatory story is a fundamental problem which Lord Leveson's Report, to be published tomorrow in the UK, will hopefully address on the principle that prevention is always better than cure." |