Two national newspapers have been fined and ordered to pay compensation after the collapse of the trial of former Killaloe GP Paschal Carmody
The Irish times and irish examiner had been found in technical contempt of court – following the publication of articles – which caused the trial of the former doctor from Ballycuggeran, Killaloe to collapse in April.
Mr Carmody had pleaded not guilty to 9 charges of obtaining 16 thousand euro through deception – from families of terminally ill cancer patients.
The trial of paschal Carmody collapsed 17 days in – on April 28th of this year – following the publication of articles in both the Irish Times and Irish Examiner – which gave an account of matters discussed in court in the absence of the jury.
Following the collapse, representatives of both publications apologised unreservedly for printing the reports but were found in technical contempt of court.
In Dublin Circuit Court – Judge Donagh McDonagh heard that Dr Carmody had incurred costs of between 300 and 400 thousand euro prior to the collapse of the case, which was "no fault of his".
The newspapers were found liable for these costs – split between them – as well as those of the DPP and courts service. They were also levied with a fine of two-thousand five hundred euro each.
As the full amount of costs are not yet available – all parties will be back before Judge Donagh McDonagh in November.
