Courts / Dublin / Report

Gript gets permission to challenge Press Council decision on DCU course article

Summary

Online news outlet Gript Media Limited has been granted permission by the High Court to challenge the Press Council's decision to uphold a June 2025 ruling that an article titled "Inside the DCU SPHE Course – Fisting, writing sex scenes, porn terms examined" breached journalistic codes. Gript seeks to quash the Press Council's decision and obtain a re‑hearing, arguing that the Council applied the wrong standard of review and denied Gript a fair oral hearing. The article, published on 4 October 2024, described a viral video and the responses of Minister for Education Norma Foley and the funding context for the DCU SPHE/RSE graduate diploma. The Press Ombudsman found that Gript had no evidence that DCU had instructed teachers to replicate sexually explicit exercises in classrooms. DCU's complaint was upheld, and the High Court adjourned the matter to November. The case involves the Press Council, the Press Ombudsman and Dublin City University as notice parties.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gript gets permission to challenge Press Council decision on DCU course article. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• June 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 4, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
• 23 October Other
• 24 October Other
• 2025-10-13 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report