Mahon loses bid to prevent publication

THE Supreme Court has refused, by a three to two majority, to give the Mahon Tribunal an order banning publication by the media of documents circulated in private by the tribunal in advance of its public hearings.

The order sought had no legal justification and would breach the right to freedom of expression guaranteed under the Constitution and European Convention on Human Rights, Mr Justice Nial Fennelly said.

“The right of a free press to communicate information without obstruction or restraint is intrinsic to a free and democratic society,” he said.