'IRA milk scam' libel is settled

An apology was also read to the Republic's High Court

A settlement thought to be in the region of 100,000 euro has been paid to Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins and former FG minister Ivan Yates.

It relates to Sunday Independent articles in 2004 which claimed they had colluded with the IRA in a multi-million euro milk scam.

An apology by the newspaper was also read to the Republic's High Court.

It said the allegations were made by an alleged former British agent and were without foundation.

Speaking afterwards on Thursday, Mr Higgins said the actions of the newspaper has been "absolutely irresponsible".

A solicitor for Mr Yates said it was '"mind-boggling" that it had taken four years to issue an apology in respect of an "utterly groundless and reckless libel in relation to two public figures".

The articles appeared in the Sunday Independent in October and November 2004 and contained allegations made by a man known as Kevin Fulton.