Reynolds wins right to new libel trial

By Andrew Bushe

DUBLIN – The tenacity of former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds has paid off after he won the right at the Court of Appeal in London to a new libel trial against the Sunday Times after the marathon 1996 hearing when he was awarded zero damages by the jury – later changed to one penny by the judge.

As he was facing huge legal costs, many friends had urged Reynolds to seek to settle the case but he was determined and he now intends to pursue the matter saying he does not want to be recorded in history as “a devious liar.”

Before departing for a delayed holiday with his family in Portugal, a jubilant Reynolds said there was no question of a settlement.

“If you believe strongly enough in something as I did on this, I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t go ahead with it. I don’t think the office of Taoiseach in Ireland should be the subject of such wild, untrue allegations of telling lies. Which I didn’t.”