AN appeal against an award of £515,000 to a firm of insurance brokers which claimed it was defamed by the Irish Brokers Association is to be heard on February 18th next, the Supreme Court decided yesterday.

The action was brought by Mr Albert Dawson (62), Knocknashee, Goatstown, Dublin, and his brother, Mr Dudley Dawson (58), Maywood Drive, Raheny, Dublin, trading as A E Dawson and Sons, Maywood Drive, Raheny. The award was made by a High Court jury last July.

Following a 12 day hearing, Mr Justice Barron ruled that the case was clearly one of defamation. The defendants, he said, could not claim qualified privilege in relation to the publication of a circular that the plaintiffs' membership of the association had been terminated.