The defamation case between a Galway businessman and a city councillor resulted in a settlement being reached at Galway courthouse yesterday.
The civil case between Padraig Ó Ceídigh and Councillor Padraig Conneely had been due to take place at Galway Circuit Court yesterday. The court heard the matter had been settled and the terms of that settlement are confidential to the parties, subject to a statement of clarification.
The statement from Cllr Conneely was read out by his solicitor to journalists gathered outside the courthouse. The statement read: “I wish to clarify that the words I spoke at Galway City Council’s meeting of October 11, 2010, and afterwards to the press in relation to Mr Padraig Ó Ceídigh were never intended by me to cast any aspersion on Mr Ó Ceídigh’s character. I am aware that Mr Ó Ceídigh is a good chairman of the Fáilte Ireland West Region Tourism Forum and I wish him the very best in the future. I acknowledge that Mr Ó Ceídigh did not cancel meetings of the Fáilte Ireland West Region Tourism Forum due to his being too busy or because of other commitments, or that he did not have the time to give to tourism. Any misunderstandings that may have occurred is regretted.”
Giving his reaction to the settlement, Mr Ó Ceídigh told the Advertiser: “I am absolutely delighted. I wanted to have my name vindicated, wholly and unequivocally. My passion to the region is a huge part of who I am but it’s not just about me. We as a community and a nation have to be a lot more caring and think twice about what we say and the damage it may cause.
“I’m delighted with the outcome but I’m disappointed we had to go to the steps of the court to have this sorted out. I would have preferred if this was sorted out earlier. I really genuinely want to thank my solicitor Michael Ryan and barrister Paul McGettigan and the legal team on the other side and all who helped to bring this to a conclusion. I also want to thank Cllr Conneely in giving the apology.”
