IRELAND
The Journal
DOLORES ATWOOD, THE woman at the centre of former archbishop Richard Burke’s defamation action against RTÉ has said that she is “very happy” with the judgement.
Earlier the case was settled, although RTÉ confirmed that they had paid no damages in the settlement.
Burke had taken the case alleging he had been defamed by a Prime Time Investigates programme entitled Mission to Prey.
The 2011 programme wrongly branded him a paedophile, Burke claimed.
“I am very happy and I like the judgement,” Atwood said outside court.
I’m happy that I was able to come from Canada to Ireland to testify, and I am very pleased RTÉ was able to believe me and stand by me in all this. I’m really glad the truth finally came out. I am very, very happy.
When asked whether or not she can now put the case behind her Atwood said it will “take time”.
It will take time, because of the way he described me, what he said about me that was not true. That was sad, you know, but I am happy the truth finally is out there.
The court heard evidence from Atwood, who claimed she had been abused by Burke in her native Nigeria when she was 13 or 14. Burke claimed they had consensual sex when she was 20.
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