Judge O’Connor held that the defamation in the case was a serious attack on Ms Holland’s professional integrity as a journalist and had caused her considerable hurt.

A statement in January last to the judge hearing Kitty Holland’s defamation case against John Waters, that he would be calling up to 13 defence witnesses, was described in court today as a blatant attempt to bully her

John Waters claimed Kitty Holland may have been used as a tool by 'unscrupulous interests'

Mr Waters, of Sandycove, Dublin, was giving evidence in his defence against a €75,000 defamation of character claim by Ms Holland

The award-winning Irish Times journalist is suing her former colleague, John Waters (pictured) for damages of up to €75,000 for defamation of character. Photo: Collins