MS VERONICA Guerin's editor, Mr Aengus Fanning, has said he did not know she was writing about a Dublin garage owner until the man, who has criminal convictions, sought an injunction preventing publication.
The High Court granted the injunction to Mr John Traynor on Tuesday. It prevents publication of any article using information supplied by Ms Guerin, alleging that Mr Traynor was involved in the sale or supply of drugs.
In a statement yesterday, Mr Fanning, editor of the Sunday Independent, said the story "only came to my attention after the matter of Mr Traynor's injunction proceedings arose".
He said he was unaware of the contents of Mr Traynor's sworn evidence to court until he heard details on Monday's news and read fuller accounts in Tuesday's newspapers. In his affidavit read to the High Court, Mr Traynor said Ms Guerin had told him she was under pressure from Mr Fanning to publish the story.
Mr Traynor, of Glenvara Road, Templeogue, Dublin, first applied for the injunction on Friday, June 14th. Counsel for Independent Newspapers gave an undertaking to the court not to publish any article relating to Mr Traynor that Sunday. That undertaking was continued at two further hearings.
Last Monday, Mr Traynor told the High Court Ms Guerin accepted the story she proposed to write was false. His affidavit was not contradicted by Independent Newspapers.
Counsel for Independent Newspapers said it did not accept the contents of Mr Traynor's affidavits. It said the newspaper would stand over the truth of the allegations if they were printed.
Mr Traynor claimed his life would be at risk "from vigilante types" if the article was published.
Mr Traynor told the court he had a number of previous convictions. He was first convide for house breaking at the age of nine and had convictions for assault and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
He described a series of meetings with Ms Guerin during which she accused him of dealing in drugs. He said she told him she did not believe he was involved in heroin but she was being forced to print it.
"I never, on any occasion whatsoever, discussed John Traynor with Veronica, I never put her under any duress, I never asked anybody else to discuss John Traynor with her, or put her under any duress," Mr Fanning said.
During the hearing, Mr Justice Barron criticised Independent Newspapers for failing to swear an affidavit on its behalf. He said there were allegations against Mr Fanning which could have been dealt with in court.
