County Tipperary Radio Ltd, trading as Tipp FM radio station has apologised in the High Court to two retired Garda Sergeants over false allegations made by a contributor.
Tipp FM has also agreed to pay damages & discharge legal costs in the case of Sgt Sean Sherlock and Sgt Tony Quinn, both whom were formerly stationed here in Thurles, Co Tipperary.
The action arose out of defamatory comments made by a contributor live on air, during a programme broadcast on December 5th, 2008. The contributor had insinuated that both sergeants had perjured themselves in High Court proceedings and that they had been guilty of misconduct.
Mr John Trainor SC, representing both retired sergeants, told Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne that the case had been settled on the basis of the apology, which was to be read in court.
Tipp FM acknowledged that the allegations were groundless, defamatory, wholly wrong and ought not to have been the subject of the broadcast. The station also acknowledged and confirmed that both Sergeants were men of the highest calibre and reputation and had at all times served their community in the highest possible traditions of An Garda Síochána.
Tipp FM also acknowledged that the public broadcast had caused serious personal and professional damage to both men’s reputations and caused both men and their family’s considerable personal distress.
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