A three-judge High Court has been appointed to hear next month's action by the Mahon tribunal over publication by The Irish Timesof an article disclosing that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern received substantial cash payments from businessmen when he was minister for finance in 1993.
President of the High Court Mr Justice Richard Johnson has decided that the case on July 10th will be heard by a divisional court consisting of himself, Mr Justice Peter Kelly and Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill.
The action is against Irish Timeseditor Geraldine Kennedy and public affairs correspondent Colm Keena. It is expected to last up to eight days and will address a range of issues relating to press freedom and freedom of expression. The proceedings are aimed at compelling both journalists to disclose the source of confidential information regarding payments to Mr Ahern. The action arose from an article, written by Mr Keena and published by The Irish Timeson September 21st, 2006, entitled: "Tribunal examines payments to Taoiseach."
The article quoted the contents of a letter written on behalf of the tribunal to a businessman, David McKenna, which the tribunal says was marked "strictly private and confidential".
When summoned before the tribunal on September 26th, both journalists refused to provide documents or answer questions which might identify the source of the information on which the article was based. Ms Kennedy said the letter in question had been destroyed.
In an affidavit in the case, Ms Kennedy has said it is "a matter of legitimate and significant public and political interest" that the Taoiseach received substantial cash payments from businessmen when he was minister for finance.