Bailey stung with papers' legal costs

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.