Supreme Court ruling - Victory for freedom of the press

YESTERDAY was a good day for press freedom and for democracy.

It would be hard to exaggerate the importance of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision against the Mahon Tribunal bid to muzzle the Sunday Business Post.

The tribunal had appealed the decision of the High Court not to grant a perpetual injunction preventing the Sunday newspaper and others from publishing material circulated privately in advance of public hearings with a direction that it should remain confidential. By dismissing the appeal, the Supreme Court effectively blocked the tribunal from securing an order that would restrict freedom of expression and affect the entire media.