Flynn facing massive legal bill after failed libel action
Former Fianna Fáil TD Beverly Flynn could eventually face a legal bill of €2.5m following an unsuccessful libel action against RTÉ in 2001.
The national broadcaster was today awarded legal costs of €1.6m arising out of their successful defence of the action in the Supreme Court.
But the Taxing Master is due to rule next month on RTÉ’s legal costs for the retired farmer James Howard who Ms Flynn allegedly assisted to evade tax while working at National Irish Bank.
RTÉ indemnified Mr Howard’s costs which sources said could be as high as €1m.
The independent TD was expelled from Fianna Fáil in April 2001 after she lost her High Court libel action arising from a report broadcast by RTÉ’s chief news correspondent Charlie Bird.
Ms Flynn had alleged she was libelled in six broadcasts in 1998 that reported she had encouraged or assisted a number of persons in tax evasion as an employee of National Irish Bank.
In 2004 the Supreme Court heard an appeal against the result of the High Court hearing and in a reserved judgment the judges unanimously rejected her appeal.
Mayo constituency colleague Michael Ring today refused to speculate on the financial consequences for the Castlebar politician.
“I’m very sorry that it has come to this. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody,” he said.
“It will be very difficult for Beverly and her family.”
Ms Flynn was twice expelled from Fianna Fáil during the 28th Dáil and finally ejected from the organisation in May last year.
She was first asked to leave the parliamentary party in February 2001 after she voted against a Dáil motion asking her father Padraig Flynn to clarify his position on allegations he received a financial contribution.
She was much later re-admitted but expelled again in April 2001 following the High Court libel case.
In April, the Micheal O’Morain Fianna Fáil cumann in Castlebar was shut down because it claimed some members were trying to help Ms Flynn rejoin.
The party’s ruling Ard Chomhairle invite the cumann’s 130 registered members to join new cumainn in the town.
