Media coverage leads to 'grave contempt' complaint

A television station and a Sunday newspaper are facing possible contempt charges arising from their coverage of George Redmond's conviction on corruption charges.

The DPP is considering what action to take after Redmond's lawyers complained of "grave contempt" by the two media organisations, his court hearing was told yesterday.

Mr Brendan Grehan SC, for Redmond, said his client had received "massive coverage" since his conviction on corruption charges last month. Many aspects of his private and public life had been trawled over and he had been the subject of "salacious comment".

While this was undesirable, Mr Grehan said he had to accept it as the effect ensuing from a criminal conviction. However, two specific examples "crossed the line". In one, a television station had conducted an "unscientific" poll on whether Redmond should be jailed.

In the other, a newspaper headline reported that an unnamed "professional lawyer" had stated that Redmond "must do time". The two matters left the court in no doubt that it would be a popular decision to impose severe sanctions on Redmond and, conversely, it would be unpopular to show any leniency.

Mr Patrick J. McCarthy, prosecuting, said the DPP fully accepted that care must be taken regarding the publication of any matter pertaining to the trial. Earlier, during the trial, he had taken action by writing to media organisations about alleged prejudicial material.

Judge Michael White said it was regrettable that concerns had been raised about media coverage in the interval between the conviction and sentencing of the defendant. While the court would not be influenced by the matters cited, they showed a "profound disrespect" for the system of justice. It was a matter for the DPP to deal with.

Redmond had denied that while an agent or servant of Dublin County Council, he corruptly received a gift of money on a date between June 1st, 1987, and May 31st, 1988, as an inducement or reward for doing or forbearing to do anything in respect of the sale by the council of a right-of- way at Palmerstown.

He also denied that as an agent he corruptly accepted for himself a gift of money as an inducement or reward for showing favour to another in relation to the sale of the right-of-way.

The jury found him guilty on both charges on day 13 of the trial.