§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what requests were received fromThe Sunday Times for assistance in defence of the libel action brought by Mr. T. Murphy and Mr. P. Murphy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Cope[holding answer 18 April 1990]: The Government received a number of requests from members of the staff and representatives of The Sunday Times for assistance in defence of the libel action brought against the newspaper in the Irish High Court by Thomas and Patrick Murphy. After careful consideration it was decided that there was no direct help which the Government could usefully or properly provide in the Irish courts.