Irish Timeseditor Geraldine Kennedy has said she is disappointed at today's High Court ruling ordering her and public affairs correspondent Colm Keena to appear before the Mahon tribunal.
NUJ's Irish Secretary, Seamus Dooley
The court this morning ordered the two journalists to answer questions on the source of an article about financial payments to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 1993.
The article was published on September 21st, 2006. Both journalists have refused to reveal the source of the information that the tribunal was investigating payments to Mr Ahern.
Speaking outside the court, Ms Kennedy said although the ruling was "disappointing", she insisted the publication of the story was in the public interest.
Ms Kennedy said she would be consulting with legal advisers over the next few days. "All considerations will be on the table," she said.
The court warned the two journalists that they could be found in contempt if they fail to comply with its orders, meaning they could be sent to jail.
"Nobody would say they would willingly want to go to jail," she said. "But I stand firmly over the view that protection of sources is a core principle of journalism."
She said she accepted the court's criticism of her actions in destroying the documents sent to the newspaper that led to the story on Mr Ahern's finances.
"I can understand their perspective. My perspective was that we had an important story which we wanted to publish in the public interest," she said.
"What's done is done," Ms Kennedy said, adding that she would, in the future, "take all actions to protect sources".
Mr Keena also said he was disappointed but that he too had an obligation to protect his sources.
The National Union of Journalists Irish secretary, Seamus Dooley, said the case has "serious implications" for journalism.
"The protection of confidential sources of information in the public interest is of vital importance to all journalists," he said. "We commend Ms Geraldine Kennedy, Mr Colm Keena and The Irish Timesfor the strong stand taken in this case."
The National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) said today's ruling poses a threat to the working practices of all journalists.
"The protection of sources - be they anonymous or known - is a central principle of journalism and one which must never be interfered with," the NNI said in a statement. "Freedom of the press must be safeguarded as a vital element of a free society."