Former Archbishop Richard Burke (66) has settled a defamation action against RTÉ over claims a 2011 documentary 'Mission to Prey' portrayed him as a paedophile.

RTÉ Managing Director of News and Current Affairs, Kevin Bakhurst, told reporters outside court that the deal does not include any payment of damages to the cleric.

The settlement came on day eight of Mr Burke's defamation action against the state broadcaster over its controversial documentary.

According to his solicitor, the former archbishop is satisfied with the compromise, even though the he has walked from court with nothing by way of damages.

The cleric vehemently denies claims made by Dolores Atwood in the broadcast that he had slept with her as a 14-year-old girl in Nigeria in the 1980s.

He insisted she was 20 when they were first intimate. She stands over her allegations.

However RTÉ has apologised to the ex-archbishop for incorrectly stating in 'Mission to Prey' that the cleric had declined to be interviewed for the programme.

That may explain why the broadcaster has agreed to pay some of his legal costs.

In a statement, the broadcaster says "RTÉ accepts it incorrectly stated in the programme that Richard Burke had declined to be interviewed for the programme and for this RTÉ apologises."

"RTÉ acknowledges that Richard Burke has consistently and vehemently denied these allegations, and has done so throughout his evidence at this hearing."

"Dolores Atwood stands over her allegations, and RTÉ considers her to be a sincere and honourable person," it adds.