Two former officers of the Union of Students in Ireland yesterday settled their High Court actions for damages for alleged libel against Irish Times Ltd.
As part of the settlement, Mr Richard Nesbitt SC, with Mr Hugh Mohan, for the Irish Times, read an apology to the court. It stated: "In the edition of The Irish Times published on Thursday, November 7th, and Thursday, November 14th, 1995, and in particular the Education & Living supplement of the said editions, reports concerning voting at student elections in UCD were covered.
"The Irish Times wishes to state that it was not their intention to suggest that either Liam Kelly or Mark Garrett had been involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever but accept that the reports carried by The Irish Times might be construed as suggesting otherwise.
"The Irish Times apologises unreservedly to Liam Kelly and Mark Garrett for any hurt, embarrassment or upset occasioned to them by reason of the publications."
Lawyers for Mr Kelly, of Deanswift Road, Glasnevin, Dublin, and Mr Garrett, of Marian Crescent, Ballina, Co Mayo, told Mr Justice Kelly the actions could be struck out with no order.