Fmr Irish Presidential Candidate accused of covering up sex crimes gets 6 figures - iMediaEthics

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The Sunday World claimed Eurovision winner, former Irish Parliament member and former candidate for Irish president Dana Rosemary Scallon covered up allegations of child sex abuse against her brother. Scallon’s brother, John Brown, was acquitted in 2014 of allegations of indecent assault against two girls in the 1970s.

But she did not cover up the allegations. Now, the newspaper is paying her a six-figure settlement of her libel lawsuit. In a court apology, according to the BBC, the Sunday World called its claims “groundless” and confirmed it would pay the “six-figure sum in damages and her legal costs.”

“In a sundayworld.com website publication of July 10, 2014, and on our Facebook pages, false allegations were made and published in respect of Dana Rosemary Scallon.

“These groundless allegations defamed Dana Rosemary Scallon and reflected very badly on her character, good name and reputation.

“We unreservedly withdraw these allegations and have agreed to pay to Dana Rosemary Scallon a six-figure sum in damages and her legal costs.

“We wish to apologise sincerely to Dana Rosemary Scallon for the distress and harm caused to her family.”

In a statement from Scallon, posted on her lawyer’s website, she said that it was her first time suing a news outlet and said “those lies should never have been published.”

iMediaEthics has written to Scallon’s lawyer for comment. We’ve also reached out to the Sunday World to ask what went wrong.

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Fmr Irish Presidential Candidate accused of covering up sex crimes gets 6 figures

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