Newspapers found 'in technical contempt of court' in Ennis case

The Irish Examiner and Irish Times newspapers have been found in "technical contempt of court" for publishing articles which lead to the collapse of the Pascal Carmody trial in Ennis.

Representatives of both national publications were present at Ennis Circuit Court today where they apologised unreservedly for printing the reports which presented a threat to the former Killaloe doctor's chances of a fair trial.

An application on costs for the state and Mr Carmody has been adjourned until next month.

Executive editor of the Irish Examiner Donal O'Hagan and its legal representative John Buckley and deputy editor for the Irish Times Paul O'Neil along with its solicitor Andrew O' Rouke attended today's proceedings at Ennis Circuit Court.

Solicitors for both publications recognised clearly that they had printed articles which contained matters raised in the absence of the jury, but said that it was done unintentionally, without malice and that they had no intention of interfering with the trial.

Legal representative for the Irish Examiner John Buckley told the court that that the reporter in question who attended Wednesday's proceedings " just forgot", in simple terms, that he couldn't report on matters said in the absence of the jury.

The solicitors said their clients apologised sincerely for the mistake but both added that the mistake may not have been clear to a sub-editor or editor at the respected papers.

Council for the state said it was grossly negligent for the papers to publish the article in the manner they did and both the DPP and Pascal Carmody's legal representatives sought costs of the trial.

Judge Donagh McDonagh found the publications in technical contempt of court but said they had purged this through their apologies and presence at Ennis Circuit court.

He adjourned the matter of costs until May 12.