Singer and former MEP, Dana Rosemary Scallon, has received substantial damages and an apology from the Sunday World newspaper in settlement of a defamation claim.
Dana, a former Eurovision song contest winner, who also held a seat in the European Parliament as an Irish MEP and is a prominent values campaigner, said that the paper had published false statements claiming she had given evidence connected to her brother, John Brown.
In a statement, Ms Scallon said the newspaper’s report – printed online and on Facebook – was a despicable lie, which falsely claimed she had engaged in a cover up of child sex abuse.
Mr Brown was cleared of sex abuse charges in 2014 and has also taken legal actions regarding media reports around the case. The claims first arose during a dispute in a US court dispute over copyright of music and ownership of a music company.
Dana previously received a similar sum in 2018 at the High Court in Belfast because of the article published in the newspaper.
Her lawyers said it was Dana’s contention that report amounted to ‘lies’ and a completely groundless, malicious and unjustified assault on her reputation and all she stood for.
She also said the newspaper’s claims were a deliberate attack on her good name, character, public and private life and her integrity.
She added that the matter had been dragged on for seven years and this was unacceptable.
Dana’s solicitor, Kevin Winters said he was delighted that she had been vindicated once again.
The Sunday World said it unreservedly withdrew the groundless and false allegations. It said it apologised sincerely to Dana for the distress and harm caused to her and to her family.