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Allegations withdrawn in Circuit Court statement By Tom Shiel A Leading IFA official who claimed he was libelled by an environmentalist in a letter sent to a Government Minister and circulated to TD's in the Mayo Constituency has settled a claim for damages and legal costs. The injured party, Mr Michael Holmes of Newfield, Mulranny, who is National Chairman of the IFA's Sheep Committee, sued Mr Anthony Waldron and members of the Carra-Mask Angling Federation. As part of the settlement deal, a statement was read out before Judge Harvey Kenny in Castlebar Circuit Court by Mr Gerry Needham B.L. representing the defendants. The statement read in full: "I, Anthony Waldron and we, members of the Carra/Mask Angling Federation unreservedly apologise to Mr Michael Holmes of Newfield, Mulranny, Westport, County Mayo, the National Chairman of the Irish Farmers Association Sheep Committee, for the unfounded allegations made against him in a letter dated November 26th 1996 to the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Michael D. Higgins TD; Michael Ring TD; Seamus Hughes TD; P. J. Morley TD and Dr Tom Moffatt TD. WITHDRAWN "All allegations to the effect that he, Michael Holmes, was one of the people principally responsible for overstocking and overgrazing mountain ranges and in the process causing damage to many of these mountain ranges for monetary gain without any qualm of conscience or regret are withdrawn and we accept that no basis ever existed for such allegations "In fact we accept that Michael Holmes is to the forefront of efforts being made to promote environmentally friendly farming". The statement of apology continued: "We have paid to Mr Holmes damages and legal costs in addition to tendering our most sincere apologies to him, his family and friends for any upset and embarrassment caused". The plaintiffs in the case were represented by Mr John Jordan B.L. who, when the apology was read out, informed Judge Harvey Kenny the proceedings could be struck out. |
