15 July 1999 Edition
Myers article lands Irish Times in court
The Irish Times newspaper is to pay a ``substantial six figure sum'' to Derry's Bloody Sunday families in settlement of a libel action over an article written by columnist Kevin Myers.
In the 25 January 1997 edition, Myers questioned the motives and principles of the organisers of the 1997 Bloody Sunday commemoration march in Derry.
The solicitor representing the families, Patrick Sheridan, of Madden & Finucane said of the verdict: ``The article in question wrongly questioned the motives and principles of my clients. This hurt and offended my clients deeply.
``My clients regret that it was necessary, in the first place, to issue proceedings but they have been vindicated in doing so.
``Once again I must emphasise that my clients are fully resolved to issue proceedings whenever necessary to prevent such undue criticism of their motives and principles.
``They remain committed to protect their good names despite the barrage of criticism and defamation to which they have been wrongly subjected in the past years and months.''
In the 25 January 1997 edition, Myers questioned the motives and principles of the organisers of the 1997 Bloody Sunday commemoration march in Derry.
The solicitor representing the families, Patrick Sheridan, of Madden & Finucane said of the verdict: ``The article in question wrongly questioned the motives and principles of my clients. This hurt and offended my clients deeply.
``My clients regret that it was necessary, in the first place, to issue proceedings but they have been vindicated in doing so.
``Once again I must emphasise that my clients are fully resolved to issue proceedings whenever necessary to prevent such undue criticism of their motives and principles.
``They remain committed to protect their good names despite the barrage of criticism and defamation to which they have been wrongly subjected in the past years and months.''