Decided by the Press Ombudsman

The Press Ombudsman has found that the Irish Mail on Sunday offered to take action which would have been sufficient to resolve a complaint that  Principle 1 (Truth and Accuracy) of the Code of Practice of the Press Council of Ireland had been breached. He has found that Principle 2 (Distinguishing Fact and Comment) and Principle 4 (Respect for Rights) were not breached.

The Press Ombudsman has not upheld a complaint by Mr Ciarán Ferrie that The Irish Times breached Principle 1 (Truth and Accuracy) and Principle 2 (Distinguishing Fact and Comment) of the Code of Practice of the Press Council of Ireland.

The Press Ombudsman has not upheld a complaint made by Ms Geri Lalor that the Sunday Independent breached Principle 1 (Truth and Accuracy), Principle 4 (Respect for Rights) and Principle 8 (Prejudice) of the Code of Practice of the Press Council of Ireland.

Press Ombudsman upholds complaint by Mr David O’Brien.  The Press Ombudsman has upheld a complaint made by Mr David O’Brien that Dublinlive.ie breached Principle  2 (Distinguishing Fact and Comment) of the Code of Practice of the Press Council of Ireland. The Press Ombudsman has insufficient evidence to make a decision that Principle 1 (Truth and Accuracy) had been breached, and has not upheld  the complaint made under Principle 3 (Fair Procedures and Honesty) and Principle 4 (Respect for Rights).

** The complainant originally requested anonymity in the drafting of the Press Ombudsman’s decision.  On completion of the complaints process, including consideration of an appeal by the editor, the complainant consented to his name being associated with the decision.  The complainant was Mr Brian Lohan.

The Press Ombudsman has not upheld a complaint that the Sunday Independent breached Principle 1 (Truth and Accuracy), Principle 2 (Distinguishing Fact and Comment), Principle 4 (Respect for Right) and Principle 5 (Privacy) of the Code of Practice of the Press Council of Ireland. He has insufficient evidence available to him to decide if Principle 3 (Fair Procedures and Honesty) had been breached.

The Press Ombudsman has not upheld a complaint that the Irish Independent breached Principle 1 (Truth and Accuracy), Principle 2 (Distinguishing Fact and Comment) and Principle 9 (Children) of the Code of Practice of the Press Council of Ireland.

On 6 July 2021 the Press Ombudsman  upheld a complaint that the Sunday World breached Principle 5 (Privacy) of the Code of Practice of the Press Council of Ireland. Other parts of the complaint were not upheld or it was found that there was insufficient evidence to make a decision.

The Press Ombudsman has upheld a complaint made by Mr Alan Redd that The Irish Times  breached Principle 1 (Truth and Accuracy) of the Code of Practice of the Press Council of Ireland. Other parts of the complaint were not upheld.

The Press Ombudsman has upheld a complaint made by Mr Ray Murray, Principal and Secretary to the Board of Management of Presentation College Carlow, that The Nationalist breached Principle 1 (Truth and Accuracy) and Principle 2 (Distinguishing Fact and Comment) of the Code of Practice of the Press Council of Ireland. A complaint that Principle 4 (Respect for Rights) was breached was not upheld.