An apology has been issued in the High Court to two well-known Donegal businessman Apology announced in a defamation action against the late Liam Hyland and the Donegal Times newspaper.
It follows a specially convened sitting of the High Court at the Four Courts in Dublin.
President of the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Irvine, was advised of the settlement of a total of four actions taken by Sean Quinn of Gortloskey, Donegal Town and Daniel Ward of Doonan, Donegal Town against the late Liam Hyland, former editor and proprietor of the Donegal Times newspaper.
The actions arose from a series of defamatory articles published in the paper and personally authored by Mr Hyland during 2015 and 2016.
A statement was read by Ms Miriam Reilly S.C. on behalf of Mr Hyland’s estate and legal personal representative, Mrs Ann Sharkey, to the Court in the presence of Mr Quinn and Mr Ward, their solicitor and counsel.
It read “In multiple issues of the Donegal Times between 2015 and 2017 Mr Quinn and Mr Ward were the object of defamatory statements. The late Liam Hyland, Editor of the Donegal Times, attacked repeatedly and maliciously the integrity and honesty of Mr Quinn and Mr Ward.
“The estate of the late Liam Hyland apologises unreservedly to Mr Quinn and Mr Ward for the hurt, distress and embarrassment caused by this sustained campaign of vilification by the late Liam Hyland.
“The estate further acknowledges that Mr Quinn and Mr Ward are men of the highest integrity. The estate has paid damages and legal costs to Mr Quinn and Mr Ward.”