Former archbishop settles RTÉ defamation case

Former archbishop Richard Burke has settled his high court defamation action against RTÉ.

Former archbishop Richard Burke has settled his high court defamation action against RTÉ.

Mr Burke, a former Archbishop of Benin, Nigeria, had claimed an RTÉ Prime Time programme alleged he was a paedophile.

Former archbishop Richard Burke pictured last Tuesday

RTÉ denied defamation.

RTE's managing director of news and current affairs Kevin Bakhurst said that RTÉ has not paid damages in the case, but has made a contribution towards Mr Burke's costs.

It said that both parties have agreed that the matter is now closed and that no further order of the court is required.

The cleric vehemently denies claims made by Dolores Atwood in the broadcast that he had slept with her as a 14-year-old girl in Nigeria in the 1980s.

He insisted she was aged 20 when they were first intimate.

Ms Atwood stands over her allegations.

According to his solicitor, the former Archbishop is satisfied with the compromise - even though the 66-year-old has walked from court with nothing by way of damages.

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