Kevin Winters

The criminal case against the 87-year-old was dismissed by a judge last month after CCTV footage contradicted the complainant’s evidence.

Mr Fox is now planning to sue the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, the State and the Attorney General for breaches of his constitutional rights to liberty, privacy and his right to a good name, The Irish Times reports.

As well as damages and an apology, Mr Fox is seeking a judge-led inquiry into “inequities in reporting restrictions”, noting that his application for anonymity was refused at an early stage of his trial.

Kevin Winters, partner at KRW LAW LLP, told The Irish Times: “That’s a serious injustice and a gap that needs to be fixed. It shouldn’t be at the discretion of the court. There should be anonymity right across the board, and not just – as it stands at present – in the more serious sexual offences.”

He added: “The case that he has taken is necessary, but no amount of litigation will ever remove the stain that’s there as a result of this prosecution. Once prosecuted, the stain is there.”