A Cork property developer who alleges he was defamed by Lucinda Creighton of Fine Gael has told the High Court he was shocked by a speech she gave denouncing ‘cute hoor’ politics.

Michael O’Flynn claims his reputation has been tarnished in an address by the Junior Minister to the Magill Summer School and in follow-up interviews on RTÉ and in The Irish Times in July 2010.

The jury has heard Mr. O’Flynn paid €1,500 for a team to partake in a Fine Gael golf fundraiser in July 2010 at The K Club teeing off behind Enda Kenny and Phil Hogan.

6 days later in a speech to the Magill Summer School denouncing ‘the cancer of cute hoor politics’ Deputy Creighton said Fine Gael cannot condemn Fianna Fail for entertaing developers in the Galway tent while holding the biscuit tin to high-profile developers beholdent to NAMA.

Admission of reference

In a follow-up interview on the News at One on RTÉ she agreed she was referring to Michael O’Flynn of O’Flynn Construction and his attendance at the golf classic.

Giving evidence Mr. O’Flynn says he can roll with the punches better than most people but he was absolutely shocked when he heard a podcast of the interview adding that he treasures his reputation and has done nothing to lower standards in public life.

Lucinda Creighton denies defamation but she may also rely on the defence of honest opinion and fair comment.