Madam, – Congratulations on your Supreme Court victory, allowing Irish journalists to protect their sources (“Journalists win appeal on guarding of sources”, August 1st).
This was a very important decision for the freedom of our press and it’s fitting that it was delivered on the day that our first woman president, Mary Robinson, became the recipient of the 2009 US Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honour.
A proud day for Ireland. Well done all. – Yours, etc,
CEARBHALL O’DALAIGH,
Ardbrack Heights,
Kinsale,
Cork.
Madam, – How delighted I was, (and extremely surprised, I might add), at the Supreme Court decision in your favour.
That the issue of revealing your sources had gone through previous courts and even been insisted on in the first place, only serves to indicate the deep-rooted and fully justified fear of this Government at the exposure of any more corruption. – Yours, etc,
DICK BARTON,
Kevin Street,
Tinahely,
Co Wicklow.
Madam, – In allowing the appeal of journalists Geraldine Kennedy and Colm Keena against a High Court order requiring them to answer questions from the Mahon tribunal relating to the source of an article about certain financial payments, Mr Justice Fennelly of the Supreme Court said it was important to recall that in the event of a conflict between the provisions of the European Convention and the (Irish) Constitution, the Constitution must prevail. Will this situation still obtain in the event of Irish voters passing the next Lisbon referendum?
I raise the question because as far as I can gather, the referendum wording will (as did the first wording) contain wording designed to hand over important constitutional rights to Europe not catered for in the specified guarantees and assurances which our Government says it has received from EU member-states. – Yours, etc,
RE THORNTON,
Priory Road,
Delgany,
Co Wicklow.