A High Court jury today awarded €900,000 to a man the Sunday World described as a "Traveller drug king". It was the largest award in Irish legal history.
The jury found Martin McDonagh, a father of eight from Cranmore Drive, Sligo, was libelled by the newspaper on September 5th, 1999, midway through his seven-day detention in connection with a major drugs seizure at Tubbercurry, Co Sligo.
Mr McDonagh denied involvement and was released without charge.
In addition to alleging he was a "drug king", the Sunday Worldreport referred to Mr McDonagh as "The Shark" saying he was involved in money-lending and had masterminded the importation of cannabis and ecstasy to the west of Ireland in 1999. The newspaper said it was the largest amount ever brought to the region.
The newspaper denied libel claiming the words complained of were true in substance and fact.
Following a five-day trial, the jury of seven women and five men was asked to decide whether the newspaper had proved, among other matters, that he was a drug dealer and a loan shark.
They had replied "No" in both cases. In response to two other questions, the jury found the newspaper had proven Mr McDonagh was a tax evader and a criminal.
On the basis of those answers, reached after two and a quarter hours deliberation, the jury awarded Mr McDonagh damages of €900,000 plus costs.
It was the biggest libel award in the State award - greater than the €750,000 awarded to businessman Denis O'Brien in November 2006 over an article in the Irish Mirror.
After the jury delivered their verdict today, Mr McDonagh hugged members of his family.
Hugh Mohan SC, for the Sunday World, said he would be making an application for a stay on the award pending an appeal.
Mr Justice Eamon De Valera said he would hear that application in a week's time.
