The Irish Times has reported that IRISH NATIONWIDE Building Society is considering taking legal action against the Reuters news agency after it published an inaccurate report that the institution was holding “talks with its lenders to avoid insolvency”.
Reuters retracted the story late on Friday night, admitting that “material elements” of the story were incorrect and that it “contained false information”.
A spokesman for Irish Nationwide confirmed to The Irish Times yesterday that “the society is discussing the matter with legal advisers”.
The society’s chief executive, Michael Fingleton, told the Sunday Independent that the story was “irresponsible, false and untrue”, adding that “in the present highly sensitive economic, financial and commercial climate, the putting out of such statements is tantamount to commercial sabotage”.
Reuters did not check the story “in the way that you would expect”, Mr Fingleton said, adding: “We believe that we have the evidence to support our case.”
Woops!