The Director of Public Prosecutions is to seek an order providing directions to the media on reports concerning the pending trial of the former assistant Dublin city and county manager George Redmond.
Mr Redmond (82) has pleaded not guilty to receiving £10,000 on a date between June 1st, 1985, and June 1st, 1986, as an inducement or reward for doing or forbearing to do anything in respect of a compulsory purchase order by Dublin City Council on 167 acres of land situated at Bussardstown and Coolmine. The trial is scheduled for June.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday Judge Joseph Matthews adjourned a hearing on the matter of media reports to Monday week at 10am.
Patrick J McCarthy SC, for the DPP, asked for the matter to be put back to give parties wishing to appear in the matter time. He said 39 media organisations had been contacted and some had subsequently made contact. Past experience indicated that a limited number of representatives would appear on behalf of all media outlets.
He said procedural aspects could be dealt with at the next hearing and a date set for the issue to be heard.
Lawyer Stephen McCullough said he appeared on behalf of the Sunday Times which, he said, would be interested in addressing the court when it considers the matter. Tony Williams, of Simon McAleese solicitors, representing Independent Newspapers, also notified Judge Matthews of his presence in the court and interest in the matter.
