NUJ attacks minister’s behaviour

THE National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has accused Justice Minister Michael McDowell of operating a separate system of justice for himself in his campaign against journalist Frank Connolly.

The minister was also warned that by effectively trying to take on the role of the courts he was mirroring the behaviour of a police state.

NUJ Irish secretary Seamus Dooley said Mr McDowell, a lawyer by training, had behaved in a manner prejudicial to Mr Connolly and in a way he would not have found acceptable earlier in his career when he was representing defendants.