Dunphy court hearing today

Mr Eamon Dunphy is to appear in the High Court today for possible contempt of court proceedings arising out of comments he made…

Mr Eamon Dunphy is to appear in the High Court today for possible contempt of court proceedings arising out of comments he made on his Radio Ireland show last week in the final days of the De Rossa libel action.

The presiding judge in that action, Mr Justice Paul Carney, heard the broadcast last Tuesday and, before Wednesday's proceedings, told Mr Dunphy that should the hearing be aborted because of the broadcast he and the radio station would be liable for the costs. Otherwise, Mr Dunphy would be dealt with for possible contempt of court today.

Mr Sean Ryan SC, for Mr Proinsias De Rossa TD, said in other circumstances he would have been looking for a discharge of the jury, but as it was the 11th day of the trial, in a third hearing, he could not subject his client to the risk of going through another trial.