British journalist Ian Bailey has been ordered to pay the legal costs of five of the seven newspapers he sued for libel.

The action followed reports that he was a suspect in a murder in Ireland.

It is estimated that following a Cork Circuit Court ruling on costs Bailey could be faced with a €300,000 (£202,000) bill.

Bailey was awarded half his costs against two of the newspapers, the Irish Daily Mirror and The Irish Sun, against which the judge awarded him €8,000 damages on the separate issue of reports alleging he had been violent towards his ex-wife.

On the application of counsel for the five newspapers against which Bailey lost his action, the judge agreed to appoint a receiver for the E8,000 damages won by Bailey. The effect will be that Bailey won’t be able to claim his damages which can be sought as a contribution towards the costs owed by him.