Comedian Sil Fox says he's suing the State and DPP as he wants an 'unreserved apology' before he dies.
He says he was 'afraid to be seen' even at funerals before he was cleared of the charges he faced prosecution over.
A judge last year acquitted Mr Fox (88) of sexual assault charges, after a judge found the allegation was contradicted by CCTV footage.
Mr Fox is now suing the State - including the Director of Public Prosecutions - for damages over the decision to prosecute him.
The comedian told Newstalk Breakfast the last year was 'dreadful', and he's still 'sick' over the experience.
He said: “I was very upset when I was charged with something I didn’t do. I’ve been in showbusiness for 50 years, and I’ve never been in trouble in my life… never even in a court before.
"At my age it nearly killed me. I still haven't got over it."
The comedian said the experience took a 'terrible toll' on him, including show cancellations.
He said: "Pals of mine had funerals... I was just standing at the back. I was afraid to be seen.
"I had great help from my two nieces when I went to court.
"I was fed up of going to court... every time I went my photo was taken and I was splashed all over the papers… charged with something I didn't do."
Explaining why he's now taking legal action against the State, Mr Fox said he wants nobody else to go through what he did.
He said: "It was a disgrace… I don't want it to happen to anyone else.
"What I'm looking for is an unreserved apology from the DPP before I die, because I am 88 years of age."
