A publisher who claimed Fianna Fáil MEP Eoin Ryan owed him almost €17,000 for printing election pamphlets has withdrawn the claim in the Circuit Civil Court. Vermont Enterprises Ltd, Phibsboro Place, Dublin, also agreed to make a contribution of €2,000 towards Mr Ryan's legal fees.
After the case was struck out yesterday, Mr Ryan said he was delighted publisher Dermot Williams had withdrawn the proceedings.
"This claim had absolutely no foundation and I am particularly delighted the people who worked for me during my election campaign, and who negotiated a contract with Vermont Enterprises have been vindicated," he said. "There is or never was any outstanding debt owed to this company."
Barra Faughnan, counsel for Vermont Enterprises, told Judge Jacqueline Linnane that after talks with Mr Ryan's counsel, Brendan Watchorn SC, the plaintiff was withdrawing his claim on consent.
Vermont Enterprises had claimed that during early 2004 it had concluded a contract with Mr Ryan through his election agent, Claire Donlon, for printing and other services relating to his campaign for the European Parliament. The company alleged that in April 2004 a dispute had arisen in relation to work done and following talks, both sides had entered into an agreement whereby Vermont Enterprises would do additional work for Mr Ryan.