EU court to hear challenge to Irish libel laws

The European Court of Human Rights is due to begin hearing a case relating to Irish libel laws later today.

The case was taken by Independent News and Media, which has claimed that Ireland’s libel laws contravene the European Convention on Human Rights.

Independent News and Media, which publishes the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent and other newspapers, has accused the Irish State of consistently and deliberately neglecting its obligations towards freedom of speech under the EU convention.

The case is being supported by several other Irish newspapers and broadcasters.