The publication of the identity of an accused man in a recent Co Tipperary sex assault case at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was a "direct attack on the workings of the court", Judge Patrick McCartan has said.
Five newspapers appeared before Judge McCartan as a result of receiving an affidavit from the accused man's solicitor alleging that they were in contempt of court by publishing his identity in reports of the first day's hearing of the case. The jury was discharged on the second day by Judge Dominic Lynch, the trial judge.
Judge McCartan ordered the newspapers to reply to the affidavit by May 16th, and set a date for hearing on May 21st. He also directed that the accused be present. Mr Peter Charle ton SC, for the accused, a sports teacher who denied charges of sexual assault on schoolgirls, said his client's identity should not have been revealed.
A connection made by some of the newspapers to the accused's brother had prejudiced his client. He claimed that all the papers, except The Irish Times, had connected his client with his brother in their reports.
Mr Tony Williams, solicitor for the Irish Independent, told Judge McCartan that his paper did not make any connection between the accused and any other persons.
Ms Una Ni Raifeartaigh, for The Irish Times, said it was not aware of the order made by Judge McCartan which protected the anonymity of the accused and the alleged victims. She said The Irish Times did not make a connection between the accused and his brother and did not feature any photographs of the accused.
Representatives for the Irish Mirror, the Star and the Irish Examiner asked for an adjournment to prepare an affidavit in response to the charges.