Assaulted Rugby Fan Wins Latest Libel Case

A bizarre off pitch incident in which an Ulster rugby fan was attacked by ex-Irish international Trevor Brennan, has led to him being awarded further damages for libel at the High Court in Belfast.

The rugby supporter, Patrick Bamford, 26, sued The Irish Star and the Sun over their reporting of the incident at the match between Toulouse and Ulster last January. Both papers will today publish an apology to Mr Bamford.

These latest settlements mean that he has now received damages approaching six figures as, in November 2007, Mr Banford also successfully sued the Guardian newspaper.

At the time, the published apology stressed that Mr Bamford was an innocent spectator.

Yesterday, Mr Banford's solicitor also confirmed that further actions are being pursued against a number of other media outlets.

"My client is very satisfied to have received these categoric and comprehensive apologies from the Sun and the Irish Star, which have been consolidated with a very substantial five figure payment of damages from each newspaper," the lawyer said.

"My client remains determined to continue with the outstanding litigation against several broadcasters and publishers who have failed to apologise and make amends for this outrageous defamatory slur on his character."

Brennan - who played for Toulouse - was banned from the game for the assault, which happened during a Heineken Cup game.

(BMcC)