Naked sleepwalker wins $17 million in libel case

A man has been awarded $17 million libel case after he was caught sleepwalking naked on a business trip.

Irishman Donal Kinsella, 67, sued Kenmare Resources alleging the company released a press release which suggested the businessman made inappropriate advances towards a female employee, the Guardian reports.

A court was told Kinsella was caught naked sleepwalking three times near company secretary Dierdre Corcoran's room.

He was told to go back to his room by the company's managing director on each occasion.

Kinsella was a regular sleepwalker and at the time of the incident had been drinking and taking painkillers.

An inquiry into the incident, on behalf of Kenmare Resources, found Kinsella had not tried to enter the woman's room and that no improper conduct had occurred.

It was argued that Kinsella became an international laughing stock as a result of allegations made by the company.

The court heard anyone that read the press release would assume Kinsella had tried to "jump the company secretary".

The amount awarded to Kinsella is five times more than the previous record Irish libel settlement.

Kenmare Resources was ordered to pay Kinsella $875,000 while the company prepares to appeal the judgement.

Outside the court Kinsella said he felt "exhilarated and vindicated" by the jury's decision.