Colin Fulton, 41, sought an injunction and damages in the High Court in Belfast over 28 newspaper stories published between August 2012 and January 2014, which he said contained false information and put his life at increased risk from dissident republicans.

The case was dismissed and Mr Fulton took it to the Court of Appeal, where it has been thrown out by the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, sitting with Lord Justices Weatherup and Weir.

The court said it was “an entirely appropriate role for the press to draw to the attention of the public allegations of serious wrongdoing”.

Lawyers for the Sunday World said the court decision “upholds the legal principle that when responsible journalists expose serious criminality and report upon it, and the newspaper are satisfied that the allegations reported upon are of real public concern, the Courts have a duty to protect a robust expression of press freedom”.

Olivia O’Kane, partner at Carson McDowell, continued: “The decision, in protecting investigative journalism, acknowledges the importance of responsible journalism and of the important role of the Sunday World journalists in exposing serious criminality.

“The decision upholds the law and reminds us that good faith responsible journalism reporting upon matters of public importance will be protected in law.

“When the media act as public watchdog of our communities the courts have a duty to protect the media exercising that public watchdog function, and today’s judgment upholds this important legal principle.”