Proceedings by the Director of Public Prosecutions against a number of newspapers and RTÉ alleging contempt of court in reports on a road crash in Dublin this month, which claimed the lives of a taxi-driver and a youth, were adjourned until Thursday at the High Court yesterday.
On Friday, two newspaper editors, the managing director of another and an RTÉ producer were directed to appear yesterday to explain why they should not be jailed over the coverage.
As well as seeking orders for attachment against the media personnel, the DPP is also seeking orders for the seizure of the organisations' assets and an injunction restraining further interference with the prosecution of two youths on charges related to the accident.
When the case came before Mr Justice Smyth yesterday, he was told that papers in the case had been served late on Friday and the defendants needed an adjournment to consider their position and possibly put in replying affidavits. The judge said he would adjourn the case to Thursday.
The proceedings are against Independent Newspapers Ltd and Michael Roche, managing editor with the group, over articles in the Evening Herald and Irish Independent on January 13th; Sunday Newspapers Ltd and Sunday World editor Colm McGinty over articles on January 12th; and Independent Star Ltd and Daily Star editor Gerard Colleran over articles on January 13th.
The DPP has also brought proceedings against Ms Alice O'Sullivan, producer of RTÉ's Gerry Ryan Show, and RTÉ over an interview between Mr Ryan and RTÉ crime correspondent Paul Reynolds on January 13th.