A HIGH Court judge will travel to Moscow to take evidence on commission concerning the hearing of the libel action by the former minister for social welfare. Mr Proinsias De Rossa, against the Sunday Independent.
The case was due to start today before Mr Justice Carney and a jury but yesterday Independent Newspapers made an application for the judge to travel to Moscow.
Following submissions by lawyers for the sides yesterday, the judge said he was disposed to make the orders sought in a notice of motion from Independent Newspapers.
Mr De Rossa is suing the Sunday Independent over an article by Eamon Dunphy in the edition of December 13th, 1992.
The court decided that in Moscow the judge would take evidence on oath from witnesses concerning documents held in the Contemporary Archives of the Russian Federation and in relation to any expert witness proposing to tender evidence concerning the apparent signatures found in those archives and, if necessary, witnesses in relation to the translation and copying of documents found there.
Discussions will take place between lawyers for the sides and the judge on the Moscow visit. The trial is expected to open following the return of the judge and lawyers.
Mr Justice Carney said yesterday the press was permitted only to report the fact that an application had been made for the hearing of certain matters in Moscow and that an order had been made.