“Businessman sues newspaper for defamation over false tax defaulter claim”

William Bird, a businessman and director of William Bird Limerick Ltd, alleges defamation against Iconic Newspapers Ltd, publishers of the Limerick Leader, over an article in June 2016. The article listed tax settlements from the Revenue Commissioners and allegedly falsely stated that Bird was a tax defaulter and of low moral character. Bird claims that the article caused people to avoid him and withdraw from his locality. Iconic denies the defamation, stating that the article did not concern Bird and that there is a plea of qualified privilege. Bird’s counsel states that the article was “completely false”, and that there was no finding or settlement against Bird. The case continues before the High Court.