Alliance Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Billy Webb has said he is pleased after Belfast County Court granted a restraining order, damages and legal costs against Tracy Bell of Oaklands Park, Antrim, relating to comments made on her social media Facebook page and the contents of a letter sent to the Council’s Chief Executive.

The defendant had made a series of defamatory and false allegations against Councillor Webb, a long-standing Council member and former Mayor of the Borough. As a result of the court action, she is barred from harassing, abusing or otherwise interfering with him, as well as contacting or communicating with him directly. The Judge awarded Mr Webb damages of £2,500 against Mrs Bell, who did not attend court. Mr Webb said he would be donating some of the damages to a number of nominated charities.

After the hearing at Belfast County Court yesterday (November 28), Councillor Webb said: “In public life one accepts not everyone will agree with you but there comes a point when unacceptable behaviour from those who might disagree with you needs to be addressed. That point was well and truly passed by Ms Bell.

“Although she was offered the opportunity to apologise and withdraw her comments about me, she did not do so. I was left with no alternative other than to take court action and I am pleased the Court found in my favour.”