A JUDGE will give a verdict next month on whether the Irish Mail on Sundaybroke consumer protection laws by publishing 26,000 Sunday Tribunelookalike editions.
Associated Newspapers Ireland, publishers of the Irish Mail on Sunday,was prosecuted at Dublin District Court for breaching consumer protection laws. The newspaper group has pleaded not guilty to six charges.
Last month, Judge Conal Gibbons heard evidence over two days and then submissions from lawyers for the National Consumer Agency and Associated Newspapers Ireland. Yesterday he told counsel for the agency and Associated Newspapers that he would give his verdict on January 25th.
The consumer watchdog brought the case after complaints by readers who bought the "special edition" on February 6th last thinking that they had purchased the Sunday Tribune, days after it went into receivership.
A receiver was appointed to the loss-making Tribune on February 1st and two days later a decision was made not to bring out a final edition on February 6th.
Associated Newspapers Ireland could be fined up €18,000 and have to pay costs if found guilty.