Both RTÉ and The Irish Times will go to the High Court on Tuesday morning to seek confirmation that they can report on comments made in the Dáil last week.
Kevin O’Sullivan, editor of The Irish Times, confirmed the news on Sunday evening
“With that in mind, we will be applying to the High Court on Tuesday morning (separately to RTÉ) to seek confirmation that the statements can be reported,” O’Sullivan said.
“We believe that to be the responsible and appropriate way to vindicate our right to report on these matters, and the public’s right to know them.”
Last Thursday, Independent TD Catherine Murphy made a statement to the Dáil regarding the financial affairs of businessman Denis O’Brien.
Although the topic was widely covered outside of the country, the news media in Ireland have not reported the full details of Ms. Murphy’s comments due to a court order granted to O’Brien against RTÉ. This prohibited the reporting of his private banking affairs.
“In those circumstances we amended our initial online report and reported the issue in the fullest possible way, having regard to the Court order,” Times editor O’Sullivan added.
“Shortly afterwards, solicitors for Denis O’Brien wrote to The Irish Times asserting that reporting of Ms Murphy’s statements would result in an application to court to enforce the injunction.”
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