A DEFAMATION lawsuit against former Eurovision winner Dana Rosemary Scallon has been struck out by a judge after a 10-year battle.
The action was taken against the singer in the Dublin High Court by two of her relatives following a statement she made during a TV3 interview on October 14 2011 while she was running for President.
It related to her assertions that false allegations of sexual abuse had been made against her brother John Brown, which she said were part of a campaign against her own good character and integrity.
Mr Brown was fully acquitted on all charges after the jury returned a unanimous `not guilty' verdict.
In 2014 TV3 - also named defendants in the action against Dana, agreed a settlement with the plaintiffs "without advising or seeking the consent of Dana leaving her to defend the action by herself", her solicitor Kevin Winters of KRW Law said.
Today's successful application was brought against what Mr Winters described as "a background of ongoing delay by the plaintiffs".
Mr Winters said "Mr Justice O Moore stated the proceedings `weighed heavily' on Dana" and added they "now intend to issue High Court proceedings for malicious falsehood" against the plaintiffs as well as applying to collect a contribution towards legal costs from the TV channel.
"The rulings amount to complete vindication of Dana and her brother John Brown who has suffered terribly as a result of unfounded allegations," the lawyer said.
