Contempt proceedings launched against Irish Independent after rape trial collapse
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The Director of Public Prosecutions has launched proceedings for contempt against the Irish Independent following the collapse of a rape trial late last year.
The proceedings against publisher Independent News & Media, Irish Independent editor Fionnán Sheehan and journalist Nicola Anderson concern an article published by the newspaper last year.
A six-day rape trial at the Central Criminal Court collapsed after defence lawyers argued that the article, an opinion piece about the #MeToo movement, had prejudiced the trial by allegedly suggesting the defendant was guilty and the complainant was a victim.
The case is due before the High Court on 25 February 2019.