Peter Charleton rejects High Court move over journalistic privilege

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Mr Justice Peter Charleton said the Charleton tribunal would not seek a High Court order compelling journalists to answer questions about journalistic privilege, as reported on 22 June 2018. The tribunal was examining allegations about briefings concerning Sgt Maurice McCabe.

Lawyers for Maurice McCabe and Supt David Taylor argued that journalists had no valid basis for refusing questions, while lawyers representing journalists said privilege protected sources and press freedom. Charleton said any order would be futile because the journalists’ resistance meant it would produce no change.