THE NATIONAL Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) has asked An Garda Síochána to supply photographs of criminals who are led into new court buildings through an underground entrance away from the reach of photographers.
The request was yesterday put to Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy during talks with NNI representatives in Dublin.
The NNI, which represents 18 newspapers in Ireland, requested the meeting to discuss issues that arose during the trial of Eamonn Lillis, who was convicted last month of the manslaughter of his wife Celine Cawley.
A witness for the prosecution, Jean Treacy, was shielded from the media when gardaí brought her to and from court in Garda vehicles through an underground entrance to the new courts complex on Parkgate Street, Dublin.
After Ms Treacy completed her evidence, a photographer who tried to follow her in his car to take a photograph was blocked by gardaí.
The development drew criticism from the media over the Garda’s unprecedented efforts to prevent a witness being photographed.
In a joint statement issued by NNI and Mr Murphy yesterday, Mr Murphy said the decision to shield Ms Treacy was taken for “operational” reasons which he fully supported.
The purpose of shielding Ms Treacy was not to frustrate the media in taking her photograph, though he accepted that was the consequence. He did not envisage similar cases arising regularly.
On the matter of the Garda issuing photographs of criminals, Mr Murphy said he was open to discussion.