DPP seeks reporting restrictions

The DPP is seeking reporting restrictions on an application by former Dublin assistant county manager Mr George Redmond, the …

The DPP is seeking reporting restrictions on an application by former Dublin assistant county manager Mr George Redmond, the High Court was told yesterday. Mr Redmond is applying for an order prohibiting his trial on charges of corruption.

Mr Redmond's trial before the Circuit Criminal Court had been fixed for June 4th. However, the High Court last week granted a temporary stay on the trial and adjourned the matter to yesterday to see if an early date could be arranged for the hearing of Mr Redmond's judicial review proceedings. Mr Redmond (78) claims that because of extensive adverse media coverage of his affairs, it is not possible for him to be tried by an impartial and unbiased jury.

An earlier hearing was told Mr Redmond was not seeking to permanently prohibit his trial but wanted prohibition until such time as "the prejudice that pertains at this time is spent".

Mr Justice Murphy yesterday adjourned for two weeks the application to fix a date for Mr Redmond's High Court hearing. The DPP could at that time make his application for the imposition of reporting restrictions.