Mahon Tribunal must pay costs on media leaks case

THE Mahon Tribunal must pay the substantial costs of its unsuccessful court attempt to ban publication by the media now and into the future of documents circulated in private by the tribunal in advance of its public hearings, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday.

By a three-to-two majority last March, the Supreme Court had dismissed an appeal by the tribunal against the High Court’s refusal to grant a perpetual injunction restraining the Sunday Business Post and others from publishing material circulated in private by the tribunal prior to its public hearings.

The Chief Justice, Mr Justice John Murray and Ms Justice Susan Denham agreed with Mr Justice Niall Fennelly, who delivered the majority court judgment.