Independent Newspapers Ireland has agreed to remove certain portions of some of the Anglo tapes from its website after the Director of Public Prosecutions sought a High Court injunction concerning publication of the tapes.
The DPP claims the publishing of further material is calculated to interfere with the criminal trial process in relation to events at the former Anglo Irish Bank. The extracts have been removed without prejudice to the Independent's position in relation to the case being taken by the DPP. It denies contempt and contests the DPP's claims.
The DPP is also seeking an order directing the attachment and committal to prison of Independent editor Claire Grady and editor-in-chief Stephen Rae, and/or the sequestration of the firm's assets, as the case may be, for contempt of court in relation to material published last Thursday under the heading "Anglo: the new tapes revealed".
It is claimed the material contained in the article is intended to prejudice the proper administration of justice in relation to the criminal trials pending against former Anglo officials. It is also claimed the article amounts to a breach of the sub judice principle and to contempt of court.
When the matter came yesterday before President of the High Court Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, it was adjourned briefly to allow discussions between the parties.
Injunction application
Later, Paul O’Higgins SC, for the DPP, said it had been agreed the respondents would take steps in relation to the material online and the injunction application could be adjourned until Friday.
Shane English, BL, for the Independent, said it had been agreed to remove significant portions of tapes identified in an affidavit from the DPP.
Mr Justice Kearns adjourned the matter to Friday.