The Northern Ireland editor of the Sunday Times was awarded undisclosed libel damages yesterday against an author and journalist, Mr Tim Pat Coogan, and a Dublin newspaper.
Mr Liam Clarke, from Belfast, was understood to have received a "substantial five-figure sum" in settlement of his action in the High Court in Belfast.
A statement read in court by Mr Kevin Conlon QC, for Mr Coogan and the newspaper, Ireland on Sunday, said the action related to an article published in April 1999, headed: "Ex-RUC officer confirms police link with murders".
Mr Conlon said an unnamed journalist was referred to as having MI5 contacts and went on to suggest the journalist had been involved in underhand activity with corrupt Nigerian officials to persuade a former RUC officer to leave Nigeria.
The statement said that while the defendants did not intend to link Mr Clarke with the allegations, they now recognised that readers identified him as the journalist referred to in the article.
"Both defendants accept that references linking Liam Clarke with the allegations are completely without foundation," the statement said.
"They recognise that Liam Clarke is a respected and independently-minded journalist who is not, and never has been, improperly influenced by any agency, faction or interest group.
"Both defendants apologise unreservedly to Liam Clarke and have agreed to pay him substantial damages and indemnify him in relation to his legal costs."