Witness civil cases to be heard in private

The Garda Commissioner has secured what the Court of Appeal described as a “unique” order for a hearing behind closed doors of civil actions by two people alleging defamation in Sunday World articles related to the State’s witness protection programme.

The actions will proceed later this year before a High Court judge and jury with the public and media excluded. Only the verdict can be published.

The commissioner argued that the in camera order was necessary to safguard the witness protection scheme, guard against a possible risk to life to those engaged with it, and for public safety and security interests.