Libel proceedings are to be launched against the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell by the publishers of the Daily Irelandnewspaper.
Mr Mairtin O Muilleoir, Managing Editor of Daily Ireland
Before the newspaper was launched last month, Mr McDowell said it was supported by the IRA and compared it to the notorious pre-war Nazi propaganda publication, Volkischer Beobachter.Mr McDowell made similar comments yesterday in a radio broadcast and today the newspaper confirmed its intention to institute legal proceedings.
The paper's managing editor Mr Mairtin O Muilleoir told RTÉ radio the comments were "scandalous", "dangerous" and "defamatory".
"This type of slur has not even been made by any of our most fervent opponents commercially.
The Minister is talking rubbish. It is an attempt to try and damage us and an attempt to prevent us from publishing," Mr Muilleoir said.
Solicitor's for Daily Irelandwrote to the Minister, after Mr McDowell's comments last month, seeking a meeting and Mr O Muilleoir today said that a response had not been received.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) also condemned Mr McDowell's strongly worded attacks saying they could endanger the lives of the paper's journalists.
The newspaper is backed by the Andersonstown News group along with Irish/American investors.