Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Alliance councillor wins payout over DUP man’s IRA slur
Craig says sorry for terror ‘mouthpiece’ tweet
This totally unfounded allegation caused me enormous distress SORCHA EASTWOOD BELFAST YESTERDAY
AN Alliance Party councillor is to receive a substantial five-figure sum from a former DUP representative for falsely accusing her of being a “mouthpiece for the Provisional IRA”.
Graham Craig also issued an unreserved apology to Sorcha Eastwood, accepting his comments on social media were completely unfounded and compromised her security.
The payout, which covers damages and legal costs, was confirmed in the High Court yesterday as part of a settlement reached in Ms Eastwood’s libel action. She sued over the contents of a tweet by Mr Craig.
It was published shortly after Ms Eastwood, who serves on Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, spoke at a rally supporting families of those killed by British soldiers in the 1971 Ballymurphy massacre.
Mr Craig, a DUP councillor in Belfast at the time, later deleted the post and posted an apology for remarks he accepted were untrue.
The case was listed for a hearing to deal with the issue of damages.
Following discussions Mr Justice Maguire was told the action had been resolved, with a statement read out on behalf of Mr Craig.
SECURITY
It said: “On August 13, 2018, Graham Craig published a tweet about Sorcha Eastwood by which he sought to link Ms Eastwood to paramilitarism.
“The tweet was completely without foundation and was published without any regard for Ms Eastwood’s reputation, feelings or her personal security.
“Graham Craig accepts he should never have published this tweet and unreservedly apologises to her for damaging her reputation, injuring her feelings and compromising her security.”
The court heard Mr Craig’s apology on social media a month later was “inadequate”.
The statement added: “In recognition of his conduct and the damage to her reputation, Mr Craig has agreed to pay Sorcha Eastwood a substantial five-figure sum by way of damages and legal costs in respect of this matter.”
Outside court, Ms Eastwood said: “I’m relieved this matter has been resolved and I have now received a fulsome and comprehensive apology.
“This totally unfounded allegation caused me enormous distress and upset and I’m pleased my reputation has now been vindicated and the record set straight.”