Sherwin wins £250 damages from Sunday Independent
Friday, 7 December 2001 20:21
The Fianna Fáil National Organiser, Sean Sherwin, has won his libel action against the Sunday Independent. However, the jury of six men and six women awarded damages of just £250 (¤312).
Sean Sherwin had claimed he was libelled in a Sunday Independent article in February 1999. The article claimed he had solicited money for his sister-in-law's election campaign from property developer, Tom Gilmartin.
Today, after over six hours deliberating, the jury agreed that the article meant he had wrongly solicited this money, and it was untrue.
Initially, Mr Justice Philip O'Sullivan thought the jury had awarded £250,000 (¤312,500). The jury forewoman quickly corrected him, saying the award was £250.
Juries in libel actions are advised to award damages commensurate with the degree of damage they believe has been done to the plaintiff's reputation.
Who will foot the costs bill in this case is still unclear, but the Independent is expected to argue that it should only have to pay costs to the level of the damages awarded. The issue of costs in the case will be discussed next week.
