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RTÉ HAS PUBLICLY apologized to businessman Declan Ganley, who sued the National broadcaster for the content of a Prime Time special program broadcast almost 12 years ago.
The Galway businessman sued RTÉ over the program, which aired on November 27, 2008, alleging that it had seriously damaged his reputation and character, causing him distress and shame.
He had requested damages, including aggravated and exemplary damages.
When the matter came before Justice Bernard Barton in the Supreme Court on Thursday, Declan Doyle SC on behalf of Ganley said the matter had been resolved.
The attorney said that, as part of the settlement, RTE had apologized to Mr. Ganley.
In its apology, RTÉ, read to court by Paul O’Higgins SC for the station, said that in November 2008 it had “aired a Prime Time special about Ganley.
“During the course of the program, reference was made to the death of Kosta Tribecka and an image of his body was shown.”
“RTE accepts without reservation, as stated in the program, that Mr. Tribecka’s death was not related to Mr. Ganley or any business related to him.”
“RTE apologizes to Mr. Ganley for any harm or distress that may have been caused.” the apology concluded.
No other details of the agreement were released in a public hearing.
The judge, with the consent of the parties, annulled the process and annulled all previous orders, including pre-trial orders, granted by the courts.
Galway-based Ganley was not present in court for the apology, but observed the proceedings through a video link.
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In a statement issued through Johnsons de Ganley’s lawyers, he said that the businessman “is very satisfied with the apology received from RTÉ, along with the financial agreement reached.”
“Our client regrets having had to initiate these defamation proceedings derived from RTÉ’s Prime Time broadcast on November 27, 2008 to claim his reputation and had to process the claim at this stage before reaching an agreement.
“However, our client is delighted with the result and today’s formal apology.” the statement concluded.
Following Ganley’s settlement of the Superior Court defamation lawsuit against RTÉ, the broadcaster also released a short statement.
“RTÉ defends the journalism of the ‘Citizen Ganley’ program and is pleased to agree to clarify an aspect of the program as highlighted in the statement read in court. We are pleased that after a decade of legal discussions, a mutually beneficial agreement has been reached on the matter. “
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