A former Fianna Fáil press officer, who is suing The Starfor libel, has said a "desperately suggestive" article in the newspaper could lead people to assume she was a person of "low moral calibre" who would seek to bring down a government in the same manner as English call-girl Mandy Rice-Davis.
Ms Mandy Johnston, now head of the Government Information Service, said she was disgusted and offended by the article, published in September 1996, which referred both to her and to Ms Rice-Davis. (Ms Rice Davis' affair with British Conservative MP John Profumo led to the collapse of the Tory government in the UK in the 1960s). Nor did she think the article was funny.
"I thought the presentation of the article was desperately suggestive, " Ms Johnston said.
Referring to the display alongside the article of a photograph of call-girl Christine Keeler nude and sitting astride a chair, Ms Johnston said she believed the use of the photograph was leading.
She also believed the use in the article of words like "sexual shenanigans" and the description of Ms Johnston as "Bertie Ahern's bat-girl beavering away" was demeaning to her.
She believed that the some 90,000 readers of The Starwould, on reading the article, think she was a person "of ill-repute".
Ms Johnston (31), of Tuscany Park, Baldoyle, Co Dublin, is suing Independent Star Ltd and journalist John Donlon for alleged libel arising out of the article.
The defence admits publication of the words complained of but denies libel or that they contained the meaning alleged by Ms Johnston. Evidence in the case concluded yesterday and closing speeches will be made on Tuesday after which the jury will be sent out to consider their verdict.
Today, Mr Justice Kearns and the jury were told that immediately on Ms Johnston's appointment as press officer with Fianna Fail in August 1996, a press release and photo of her were sent to the newspapers. Fianna Fail was in opposition at the time.
Twelve days later, Ms Johnston got a phone call from Mr Donlon, who asked how she was doing in her new job. Both were natives of Longford and knew each other but not very well.
Mr Garrett Cooney SC, for Ms Johnston, said she said her job was going fine. Mr Donlon asked if she thought she would be able to bring down a Government.
Ms Johnston said: "Well I nearly brought down a Government before." She had referred to Mandy Rice-Davis.
Counsel said the conversation was casual and friendly. Mr Donlon asked for a photo of Ms Johnston as he could not find the one already sent out. He was sent a replacement photo by courier.
Then, on September 14th, 1996, an article appeared in the Star which offended and disgusted Ms Johnston. Mr Cooney read the story which was headlined: "Mandy aims for a shock."
It stated:"The sexual shenanigans of Mandy Rice-Davis in the Profumo Affair brought the British Government to its knees in 1964. Now another Mandy hopes to topple John Bruton from his perch. She is the lovely Mandy Johnston, Fianna Fail's second press officer drafted in to help Marty Whelan.
"One Mandy brought down a Government and I hope to do the same, the Longford lass proclaimed on her appointment. As Bertie Ahern's batgirl she will be beavering away trying to knock chunks off the Coalition in the run-up to the next election.
"The Profumo Affair was later made into a feature film Scandal, starring Bridget Fonda as Mandy and Johanna Whalley as Christine Keeler. Scandal is best remembered for the famous nude shot of Christine Keeler sitting astride a chair.
"But since Mandy refused to send us in a topless photo we were struck with using this one."