Newspaper urged to apologise for Harney picture

The Star newspaper had come under attack in the Seanad following the picture of Minister for Health Mary Harney that was published on its front page yesterday.

A number of senators have hit out at the picture of Ms Harney, which was doctored to make her look like a vampire.

The accompanying headline referred to the minister as "Bloodsucking Mary", regarding her plans for funding care for the elderly.

Speaking in the Seanad today, Fianna Fáil Senator Terry Leyden said the picture showed there was no case for self-regulation in the media and he called on the Star to print a front-page apology to Ms Harney.