1916/2024 - A Person and the Irish Daily Mirror and www.irishmirror.ie

Abbey Law Solicitors appealed the decision of the Press Ombudsman to the Press Council of Ireland on the grounds that the Press Ombudsman had erred in the application of Principle 2.3 (Distinguishing Fact and Comment) and Principle 5.1 (Privacy) of the Code of Practice.

Abbey Law argued that under Principle 2.3 of the Code of Practice, the Press Ombudsman failed to come to an independent view on whether there was an undisclosed conflict of interest and asked that the Press Council make a determination on the matter.

Abbey Law argued that Principle 5.1 of the Code of Practice was misapplied by the Press Ombudsman due to her lack of appreciation that publishing the article on the front page of a national daily newspaper was fundamentally and qualitatively different than disclosing something of necessity to a specific and limited group of people.

At its meeting on 3 July 2024 the Press Council considered the appeal on the grounds relied upon and on the information, documentation and submissions made by both parties to the appeal.

Appeal Decision  

The Press Council decided to reject the appeal on both grounds. It found that there was no evidence that the Press Ombudsman had erred in her application of Principle 2.3 or Principle 5.1 of the Code, and that her decision was comprehensive and clearly reasoned.