A Newry man yesterday failed in his attempt to delay his sentencing on a £1.5 million ecstasy charge until an inquiry had been undertaken into a newspaper report on his case.
Declan Donaghy had sought to prevent sentencing until Dublin Circuit Criminal Court had investigated an article in the Sunday Times which said he had former IRA links.
Judge Frank O'Donnell said that while the Sunday Times may have been in contempt of court by publishing the article, he did not want to hear any more allegations which might affect his view of Donaghy before sentencing took place. He ordered that a probation report on Donaghy be requested from Northern Ireland and adjourned sentencing to July 12th.
Donaghy (27), of Parkview, Newtowncloughe, Newry, Co Down, was due to be sentenced this week for importing the drugs into Dublin Port on April 29th, 1998. He was found guilty by a jury on March 24th last. Judge O'Donnell said his primary duty was to sentence Donaghy and he was "absolutely confident" that the article would not interfere with that goal.
The contempt of court issue was not urgent but it was a very serious matter. The court would keep an open mind and might well call upon the newspaper to explain itself, but he had reached no definite decision on that as yet.